‘Don’t get distracted by crowd, stay calm and bowl’ – Tushar Deshpande, reveals how MS Dhoni’s advice inspired him

The 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) season saw Chennai Super Kings pacer Tushar Deshpande reach new heights thanks to the legendary MS Dhoni‘s word of trust. Deshpande was acquired by CSK in the 2023 season despite his prior struggles in the IPL.

In light of the team’s severe injury crisis in the pace bowling department, Deshpande was asked to spearhead the attack in the company of several inexperienced bowlers. Deshpande met the challenge head-on, despite its difficulty, mostly because of his captain’s encouragement. Dhoni spoke with the young bowler at a Chepauk training camp, encouraging him to do well.

“‘You have everything to achieve at the international level,’ [Dhoni] told me. However, you must remain composed when running up. Avoid becoming sidetracked by the throng. Simply inhale deeply, maintain your composure, and bowl. Deshpande stated in an interview that “if Mahi tells you, boss, that you have everything to succeed at the international level, that in and of itself is an achievement.”

He advised me to concentrate on getting fit: Tushar Deshpande

Deshpande had a rough game against Gujarat Titans in the season opener, struggling with his economy rate. Dhoni was quick to provide assistance.

Mahi approached me and said, ‘You haven’t done anything wrong. You bowled every ball well. Today was not your day. Repeat the same in the following game,” he continued.

Rather than overanalysing or attempting to outsmart the batsman, Dhoni highlighted the value of being in the moment throughout the game.

“I was hitting for a hundred-meter six after bowling a bouncer, even though I was bowling terrific yorkers at the time. ‘Kyun daala bouncer?’ he asked. You bowled the bouncer, but why? I said to him that I believed he was going to get the yorker. Don’t play mental cricket, he warned me. No one can hit you because you’re a yorker,” Deshpande continued.

The seasoned wicketkeeper advised the pacer to prioritise maintaining his health, as doing so will not only help him perform well on the field but also help him prolong his career.

He was telling me that rather than living in the now, we constantly attempting to be ahead of the game. He also advised me to concentrate on improving my fitness, which is crucial for quick bowlers “finally,” he said.

Also Read: Nobody is more knowledgeable in T20 cricket than MS Dhoni, who has taught me a lot: Simarjeet Singh

Deshpande was instrumental in CSK’s fifth IPL championship victory as he concluded the 2023 season with an outstanding 21 wickets in 16 games. Deshpande made his debut for India at the national level during the Zimbabwe trip in July 2024, following an incredible season.