5 current India players who owe their career to MS Dhoni's guidance ft. Rohit Sharma
MS Dhoni was one of the most successful captains in the history of the game. He left behind his legacy and captained India for almost a decade in limited-overs cricket. Add to that, he was at the helm of the Indian cricket team for six years in Test cricket.
"Thala" as he is popularly known transformed Indian cricket big time and nurtured the careers of young Indian cricketers under his able guidance and care. The said cricketers are superstars of the Indian cricket team currently and will be indebted to Dhoni for mentoring them during their early days in the Indian team/IPL.
On the occasion of MS Dhoni's 43rd birthday, here is a look at five current Indian players who owe their careers to MS Dhoni's guidance.
#1 Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma had an inconsistent run in limited-overs cricket and failed to score big runs until 2013, especially in ODIs. Thereafter in 2013, MS Dhoni promoted Sharma as an opener in ODIs and the rest is history. Sharma scored 29 centuries including three double centuries as an opener in ODIs. He averages an astounding 55.63 in ODIs opening the batting.
Before 2013, Sharma had opened the batting in T20Is on only five occasions in 2009. Post his heroics with the bat in ODIs, Sharma became a permanent opener for Team India in the shortest format from 2014. He led India successfully in the T20 World Cup before calling it a day from T20Is. Currently, Rohit Sharma is the highest run-scorer in the history of T20Is (4231).
Dhoni played a big role in the resurgence and growth of Rohit Sharma as a batsman in limited-overs cricket.
#2 Ravichandran Ashwin
Ashwin made his debut during IPL 2009 under the captaincy of MS Dhoni. A year later, he represented India in ODIs and T20Is. He made his Test debut for India in November 2011.
Being a spinner in India is never easy. Cricket is a batsman's game and with the advent of T20 cricket, bowlers especially spinners are targetted by the big hitters. Ashwin spent his early years with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) under the guidance of Dhoni.
Earlier this year, Ashwin picked up 500 Test wickets and he was felicitated by the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association. During the felicitation ceremony, he stated as under:
"I wish to thank him (skipper Dhoni) from the bottom of my heart. I will forever be indebted to him for what he gave me. He gave me an opportunity with the new ball to go head-on with Chris Gayle and years later, Anil bhai (Anil Kumble) would be talking about that particular episode."
MS Dhoni always backed his youngsters and Ashwin was one of them. Dhoni indeed nurtured a gem in Ashwin and the off-spinner is still going strong for India in Test cricket having picked up 516 Test wickets.
#3 Ravindra Jadeja
Dhoni played a vital role in the career of Ravindra Jadeja. He made his debut for CSK in 2012 and since then has not looked back. Jadeja made his Test debut for India in December 2012 and since then has been an indispensable member of the team. Despite not tasting much success initially in his career, he was backed by Dhoni.
Jadeja has been a vital cog of the Indian team in all three formats. He was a part of the team that won the Champions Trophy in 2013 and the T20 World Cup in 2024. He has picked up 568 international wickets across three formats and has scored 4 Test centuries. Add to that he is a brilliant fielder and a live wire in the field.
Dhoni backed Jadeja during his early days with the Indian team and ensured that he got a consistent run to showcase his talent.
#4 Kuldeep Yadav
The wrist spinner is an indispensable part of the Indian limited overs setup. He made his debut for India in ODIs and T20Is in 2017 when Dhoni was at his best as a keeper.
Dhoni as astute as ever realized the potential of Yadav and the importance of a bowler like him in limited-overs cricket. He always guided Yadav from behind the stumps and ensured that the youngster did not falter during his early days.
To date, Yadav acknowledges the impact of Dhoni in his career.
#5 Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad made his debut in the IPL 2020 under the leadership of MS Dhoni. The youngster played just six matches but made an immediate impact.
Recognizing the youngster's talent and potential, Gaikwad was asked to open the batting under IPL 2021 and he scored 635 runs and won the coveted orange cap.
Three years later, Dhoni handed over the CSK captaincy to Gaikwad in IPL 2024. Gaikwad took tips from Dhoni during IPL 2024 and was lucky to have Dhoni as a mentor.
Gaikwad has played 20 T20Is and 6 ODIs for India to date.