'Don't get distracted by crowd, stay calm and bowl' - Tushar Deshpande reveals how MS Dhoni's words motivated him

It was legendary MS Dhoni's vote of confidence that guided Chennai Super Kings pacer Tushar Deshpande to new heights in the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Deshpande, who had previously struggled in the IPL, was bought by CSK in the 2023 edition.

With the team facing a major injury crisis in their pace bowling department, Deshpande was called upon to lead the attack alongside a group of young bowlers. It was a tough challenge, but one that Deshpande met head-on, thanks in large part to the support of his captain. During a preparation camp at Chepauk, Dhoni had a word with the young pacer giving him the belief to do well.

"[Dhoni told me]: 'You have everything to succeed at international level. But you have to be calm during your run-up. Don't get distracted by the crowd. Just take a deep breath, stay calm and bowl.' If Mahi tells you that you have everything to be successful at international level, boss, that itself is an achievement," Deshpande said in an interview with ESPNcricinfo.

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He told me is to focus on my fitness: Tushar Deshpande

After a difficult outing in the season opener against Gujarat Titans, where Deshpande struggled with his economy rate, Dhoni was quick to offer support. 

"Mahi came to me and said: 'You haven't made any mistakes. You bowled all good balls. It was not your day today. In the next match repeat the same," he added.

Dhoni emphasised the importance of staying present in the game, rather than overthinking or trying to outsmart the batter. 

"I was bowling good yorkers, but suddenly I bowled a bouncer and got hit for a 100-metre six. He asked me: 'Kyun daala bouncer?' [Why did you bowl the bouncer?] I told him I thought he was expecting the yorker. He told me: Don't play cricket in the mind. Yorker is a yorker and no one can hit you," Deshpande further added.

The veteran wicket-keeper also told the pacer to give his fitness the utmost importance which will help not only help him excel on the ground but also help him extend his career.

"He was telling me we keep trying to play ahead of the game instead of staying in the present. The other thing he told me is to focus on my fitness, which is important for fast bowlers," he concluded.

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Deshpande finished the 2023 IPL season with an impressive tally of 21 wickets in 16 matches, playing a crucial role in CSK's fifth title win. After a great season, Deshpande made his national debut for India in July 2024 during the tour of Zimbabwe.