MS Dhoni is celebrated as one of the most influential leaders and sharpest minds of cricket. Known for his calmness under pressure and his unmatched ability to read the game, Dhoni’s skills went far beyond batting and captaincy. His lightning-fast reflexes and unconventional yet effective wicketkeeping style set him apart as one of the greatest ever to wear the gloves.
Former India fielding coach R Sridhar recently shared an interesting insight into Dhoni’s career. According to him, after nearly a decade of international cricket, Dhoni almost completely stopped practicing wicketkeeping. The reason was simple, playing across all three formats placed enormous physical demands on him and constant wicketkeeping drills began to take a toll on his fingers.
Before breaking into the Indian team, Dhoni worked tirelessly on his keeping skills. By the time he established himself at the international level, he had already developed his own technique, which Sridhar described as highly effective, though not entirely traditional. Once the workload of international cricket intensified, Dhoni cleverly adjusted his routine. Instead of regular keeping practice, he relied on small reaction drills that maintained his sharpness and ensured his hands remained as quick as ever.
This smart approach did not affect his performance. Dhoni went on to record 829 dismissals in international cricket, including 634 catches and an incredible 195 stumpings, the most in the game’s history. His anticipation, quick thinking and unmatched glove work turned him into a benchmark for future wicketkeepers.
Even today, at the age of 44, Dhoni continues to amaze fans with his agility. In the most recent Indian Premier League season, he claimed six catches and executed five stumpings for Chennai Super Kings, proving that his sharpness and instincts remain intact.
