IPL 2017: Manoj Tiwary says MS Dhoni has been helping Steve Smith on the field
What’s the Story?
Rising Pune Supergiant batsman Manoj Tiwary has said that former captain MS Dhoni is in the perfect position to help the other players and standing behind the stumps, he has gotten a 360-degree view of the proceedings and added that it enabled him to adjust the fields.
"Mahi bhai has been helping Smith really well. He being the wicketkeeper has the best possible position to guide the players. Not only he helps Smith but other players too with their positions. He manoeuvres the fielders well."
Talking about the demeanour of Smith, who took over from Dhoni prior to the start of this season, Tiwary said that while the Australia was aggressive on the field, he was a quiet person away from it.
“Smith does not talk too much off the field. He is a bit reserved. On the field, he is aggressive.”
In case you didn’t know...
Prior to the start of the 2017 IPL auction, the Rising Pune Supergiant management decided to replace Dhoni with Smith as captain. The decision was not particularly accepted by several hardcore fans of the former India captain and it meant that for the first time in 10 years of the IPL, he was to play purely as a wicket-keeper-batsman and not a wicketkeeper-batsman captain.
The heart of the matter
A win over the Delhi Daredevils on Friday would help Pune seal a berth in the Playoffs, but Tiwary was not willing to take the Zaheer Khan led slide lightly as he felt that they had the batsmen who could prove to be dangerous, particularly considering as a side, the Daredevils have nothing to lose with a spot in the last four out of reach.
Speaking about his own showing in the competition, Tiwary said that he was given a specific role, which was to go after the bowling and maintain a high strike-rate, which in domestic cricket, is not how he actually plays for Bengal.
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What’s next?
On Friday, the Supergiants will face the Daredevils at the Feroz Shah Kotla in a bid to secure a Playoffs berth. They have gathered some excellent momentum in the last few matches, having won four matches in a row, including a tight game against the defending champions Sunrisers Hyderabad last Saturday.
Author’s take
It is really good to see someone like Dhoni not show any disappointment at being removed from the captaincy and provide his inputs to Smith, who is leading an IPL side for the first time. it is an indication that team is behind the Australian and hopefully, can put up a good showing in their last two matches.