MS Dhoni's former teammates Suresh Raina, Robin Uthappa urge youngsters to learn from CSK captain

By India Today Sports DeskThe commitment and dedication that MS Dhoni brings to cricket is unparalleled. The CSK captain is still flying high at the age of 41.

The ‘Captain Cool’ on April 3 became the first wicket-keeper to complete 5000 IPL runs. Dhoni achieved the feat by smashing two consecutive sixes in the final over of CSK’s innings. Overall, he is the seventh batter and fourth Indian after Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan to get to the milestone.

Dhoni’s former CSK teammates Suresh Raina and Robin Uthappa urged youngsters to learn from the CSK captain.

“Every youngster in the IPL must learn, be it in the dressing room or opponent team. I think the commitment, dedication, discipline and to perform for the team, it needs someone who has a big heart,” Raina said on JioCinema.

Dhoni came in the final over of the match, which was bowled by Mark Wood, who was coming on the back of a five-wicket haul in LSG’s 50-run win over DC. However, Wood’s evening at Chepauk turned into a nightmare as Dhoni smashed two sixes off him to power CSK to 217/7. In reply, Moeen Ali took a four-wicket haul to help CSK beat LSG by 12 runs in the final over.

“See, it is not easy to bring in that rhythm especially when you are facing someone (Mark Wood) whom the world considers as one of the fastest bowlers and he (Dhoni) is 41. It is not easy to hit a six that too on one leg,” Uthappa said on JioCinema.

Raina further said that had Dhoni not hit the two sixes it would have become difficult for CSK bowlers to defend the total. Raina also heaped praise on Ambati Rayudu for playing a handy knock of 27* off 14.

“Had Mahi bhai not hit those two sixes, it would have been difficult. Even Rayudu hit sixes here and there, I think these small contributions count,” Raina said.