Australian cricket legend Steve Smith has heaped praise upon former Indian captain MS Dhoni, hailing him as an unparalleled cricketing mind and exceptional leader. Smith, who played alongside Dhoni during his stint with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), described the experience as “tremendous,” highlighting Dhoni’s exceptional skills behind the stumps and his profound understanding of the game.
“There’s no one better in India to have behind the stumps than MS Dhoni,” Smith remarked. “The way he understands the game and the angles of the game is second to none. So look, he was a tremendous person to play with. I really enjoyed his company on and off the field.”
Smith also lauded Dhoni’s calm demeanor and his significant contributions to his cricketing development. “He’s such a chilled guy, obviously extremely busy with loads of things outside the game, but extremely chilled down to earth and a wonderful person,” Smith said. “There were many occasions where MS was fantastic. You know, I really enjoyed playing with him. I enjoyed leading him as well. He certainly helped me out.”
Dhoni’s illustrious reign with CSK came to an end when the franchise appointed Ruturaj Gaikwad as the new captain. However, despite Dhoni’s departure from the leadership role, CSK has commenced their IPL 2024 campaign with remarkable victories against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Gujarat Titans (GT).
Smith’s admiration for Dhoni is a testament to the latter’s enduring legacy in Indian cricket. Dhoni’s exceptional cricketing acumen, leadership prowess, and calm demeanor have made him one of the most respected and successful captains in the history of the game.
