MS Dhoni works on returning to his old technique ahead of Bangladesh ODI series
Ahead of the upcoming One-Day International (ODI) series against Bangladesh, MS Dhoni has been rigorously practising at the National Stadium in New Delhi in a bid to get back his free-flowing technique of old that made him one of the most potent limited-overs batsmen in the world. In recent years, Dhoni had made some alterations to his technique in order to tighten up his defence and enable him to have success in Test cricket.
But with the 33-year-old having called it quits from the longer format in December last year, he does not have to worry about the pressures of Test cricket anymore and can go back to unleashing his vast array of attacking strokes.
MP Singh, who used to work with Dhoni during the wicketkeeper-batsman’s younger days, was seen working with him here too and informed in an interview to the Times of India: "He said he had changed his stance and technique for Test cricket. Now that he doesn't have to think about the format, he wants to get back to his previous technique.
"He had widened his stance and started to keep his bat between the feet. He has now decided to revert to his earlier stance in a bid to bring back the booming backlift. He demonstrated it to me and asked if it resembled his original stance," the coach added.
Facing spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Pawan Negi in the nets, Dhoni seemed in really good touch and has perhaps benefitted from the fact that he longer has to play Test cricket.
"He was hitting them hard and clean, like he used to do in his younger days. Don't be surprised if you see an attacking Dhoni in action in Bangladesh," Singh said. "I met him a few times in the last few years. Now he seems very relaxed and mentally strong."
Singh also added that Dhoni could consider moving up to No.4 in the batting order as it will allow him the freedom to play his shots without having to worry about the consequence of his dismissal.
"We discussed if he could come up the order. He said he will deliberate if somehow batting at No.4 can work out for him. He looks fit enough to carry on for some more time now," the coach added.