Image Source: Twitter/Steve Smith
Steve Smith, an Australian cricketer, is among the few who have had the honor of captaining Mahendra Singh Dhoni. In 2017, Smith led the Rising Pune Super Giants to the final of the Indian Premier League, but unfortunately, his team fell short to the Mumbai Indians in the title match.
Captaining Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the most successful Indian skipper of all time, is a privilege that only a few have experienced. One of those few is Australian cricketer Steve Smith, who had the opportunity to captain Dhoni during his stint with the Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS) in the 2017 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. In a recent interview with IPL broadcaster Star Sports, Smith spoke about his experience of leading the legendary cricketer and the lessons he learned from him.
Smith mentioned that the calmness that Dhoni showed throughout his career was something he took away from his experience of captaining him. He admired how Dhoni never looked flustered by any emotions and went about his business in a composed manner. Smith observed this trait not just during the season he captained Dhoni but also by watching him play throughout his career.
Dhoni had led the Pune franchise in the first season of the IPL but was replaced by Smith for the 2017 season after he stepped down from the Indian captaincy in January 2017. Smith mentioned that when he was first picked as captain, he didn't know what to expect, given that Dhoni had captained every team he played for, especially Chennai Super Kings, every season of the IPL.
Initially, Smith was a little shocked by the offer to captain the team, and he didn't know what to say. However, after sorting everything out, Dhoni was a guiding force for him throughout the season. Smith praised Dhoni for his support and guidance, which he found to be incredible. He couldn't thank him enough for the help he received.
Smith's experience of captaining Dhoni was a significant learning experience for him, and he also spoke about the emotions he went through as he took up the responsibility. However, with Dhoni's guidance, Smith was able to lead the team to the final of the IPL, where they lost the title to the Mumbai Indians. The experience of captaining a team in the IPL, especially one with Dhoni as a player, can be a career-defining moment for any captain.
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The IPL 2023 is all set to begin on March 31 with a blockbuster opening clash between defending champions Gujarat Titans and Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings. This edition of the IPL promises to be a thrilling one, with some of the best players from around the world set to showcase their skills on the field. Dhoni's fans, in particular, will be looking forward to seeing him lead the Chennai team once again and hoping that he can add another trophy to his already illustrious career.
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