There was a phase not long ago when M.S. Dhoni was struggling to put together the big blows at the business end of a contest. The ‘Finisher’ was under increasing pressure.
In IPL-11 though, Dhoni has been the force of nature, blowing away attacks at the Death. He has been clearing the ground with ease.
While equanimity under stressful situations, bat speed, strong wrists and a flexible back-lift, have been his great allies, it is clear Dhoni has worked on certain aspects of his batting to lend it another dimension.
Crucially, Dhoni has opened up his bat face in his stance just a bit, enabling him guide those wide yorkers between point and third man or power the ball through covers.
Previously, the bat face used to be closed, making him a predominantly on-side player.
Indeed, Dhoni has become more expansive between point and covers, and does seem to be putting less weight on his bottom hand for strokes through the off-side or down the ground.
He also has a shuffle now, something that he did not possess earlier, that enables him to get in line with the stumps.
During a conversation with him several years ago, Dhoni said the yorker outside the off-stump was the toughest delivery to cope with.
For toe-crushers in line with the stumps, he could still go deep into his crease and wrist them with enormous force over mid-wicket. However, yorkers outside off bothered him.
Now, Dhoni, since he has opened up his bat face, glides or squeezes them for boundaries or walks across the stumps to bludgeon the ball over mid-wicket.
Earlier, left-arm spinners and leg-spinners, spinning the ball away, could contain Dhoni; he would be content to rotate the strike initially.
Now, Dhoni, with new methods, is taking them on, cutting and pulling if the length is even slightly short, driving through the off-side and moving across and smoking them for on-side sixes.
And since he stays so still when he strikes the ball, Dhoni allows the ground forces to enhance his shots and propel the ball with greater force.
He has also become fitter and stronger at 36 – the amount of work Dhoni puts into his training is phenomenal.
Dhoni is batting with great freedom, enjoying his cricket and has altered his technique just a little bit. And he’s flying!
