5 Instances when MS Dhoni proved he has 'the smartest cricketing brain'

4. Taking the ball from the umpire after the match

A lot of cricket is played over the strategies. MS Dhoni’s planning and skilful mind has proven many times how strategies can be helpful in achieving a particular goal. The incident which we are referring to is from an ODI in Headingley in Leeds in 2018. After the match between India and England ended, Dhoni went to the umpires and asked them for the ball which was used during the match.

Later while speaking with the media, the former Indian captain explained why he did that. According to him, the balls which were used in the match could be used by pacers to practise reverse swing. As the match balls were already used for a significant period during the match, practising with those balls could mimic the situation which is there during the final stages of an innings.

While explaining the reason further, Dhoni said, “I requested the umpire for the ball and gave it to our bowling coach and said we need to work on it so that we can get a bit of reverse swing going. That will help the fast bowlers get those yorkers or wickets towards close or after the 40-over mark. That will help us restrict the opposition in the last 10 overs.”