'I was under so much pressure, he gave me a lot of confidence' - Rahmanullah Gurbaz reflects on MS Dhoni's significant impact on his cricket career

The dynamic Afghanistan wicketkeeper-batter, Rahmanullah Gurbaz expressed profound admiration for the esteemed former Indian skipper MS Dhoni, deeming him his ultimate idol. Reminiscing about their encounter during the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL), Gurbaz highlighted how Dhoni's words had a profound and enduring impact on him.

During the IPL 2023, representing Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Rahmanullah Gurbaz showcased his batting prowess, amassing an impressive 227 runs in 11 matches, boasting a commendable average of 20.64 and an enviable strike rate of 133.53. Presently, he is associated with the Jaffna Kings franchise, competing in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2023.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz disclosed that during their initial meeting, he was overwhelmed and couldn't converse with MS Dhoni. However, the words of the legendary cricketer left a lasting impression on him, and he cherished the mementoes received from Dhoni as a source of motivation during stressful times, reigniting his passion for cricket.

Recalling their first interaction, Gurbaz recounted, "The first time I met MS, that was the time when I was with Gujarat Titans. I was not able to talk to him because I was under so much pressure. But the way he treated me, the way he talked to me, he gave me a lot of confidence and then I had a word with him," he told CricketNext.

I have written Dhoni's words in my notebook: Gurbaz

During the IPL 2023, Rahmanullah Gurbaz sought valuable insights from Dhoni and diligently noted them down in his notebook. Seeking guidance on enhancing both his cricketing skills and lifestyle, Gurbaz recalled, 

"This year when I met him, I was very confident and I talked to him about cricket, lifestyle, etc. I asked him, how can I improve my lifestyle? How can I keep improving my cricket? He had a word with me and even now I have all the things written in my notebook. I noted down everything which helped me a lot and will also help me in the future. So, yeah, he will be my idol, forever," he concluded.

Dazzling with his powerful hitting prowess for Cape Town Samp Army in the recently concluded Zim Afro T10, Gurbaz emerged as the tournament's leading run-scorer, tallying 282 runs in nine matches, which included two remarkable half-centuries.