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Former Indian fielding coach, R Sridhar, who served from August 2014 to November 2021, has offered unique insights into MS Dhoni's unconventional approach to wicketkeeping. Sridhar, who first worked with Dhoni at the National Cricket Academy in 2011, revealed that the legendary captain stopped practicing wicketkeeping more than a decade before his international retirement in 2020.
R Sridhar on MS Dhoni's wicketkeeping approach
According to Sridhar, Dhoni's decision was a deliberate one to manage the physical toll of the sport. The captain, known for his unique keeping style, wanted to reduce the stress on his body, particularly on his fingers. By 2007, Dhoni had become a regular player across all formats, and by the end of 2008, he had taken on the immense responsibility of captaining India in every format. This busy schedule and the physical demands of his dual role likely influenced his decision to prioritize his body's longevity over traditional practice drills.
“MS Dhoni didn’t practice wicketkeeping after playing 8 or 9 years of international cricket. While he was growing up and had yet to make a mark before 2007 or 2005, he worked a lot on his wicketkeeping skills. He had a very good technique of his own. It was very effective, and he had practiced a lot,” Sridhar told cricket.com.
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R Sridhar revealed that MS Dhoni himself admitted to this unusual approach. While Dhoni stopped his traditional wicketkeeping practice, he didn't stop training entirely. Instead, he consistently focused on reaction drills to ensure he remained sharp behind the stumps, a crucial skill, especially for catching balls from spinners. This targeted practice allowed him to maintain his reflexes and efficiency without the physical strain of full-fledged wicketkeeping drills.
“He self-admittedly said that once he started playing 3 formats for India, the workload was so much that there was no need for him to practice more, as his fingers were taking a beating. That’s when he very smartly decreased the workload as a wicketkeeper; instead, he did some reaction drills, which kept him sharp and kept his gloves lightning fast. ‘Not practicing’ is not the right word, but he papered down because he knew the workload was very high,” he concluded.
The CSK legend is now enjoying his post retirement life and now only participates in Indian Premier League (IPL).
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