‘He thought I didn’t understand Hindi’ – Monty Panesar on MS Dhoni’s antics to fox batsmen

Monty Panesar, the former England cricketer, recalled how MS Dhoni used to try and read the batsmen’s mind and accordingly advised bowlers. Throughout his career, Dhoni was known to have a calm head and had a pro-active approach towards the game. The now 39-year-old’s suggestions helped a number of bowlers, including the likes of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav.

The retired Indian wicketkeeper also tried to get under Panesar’s skin. However, the Englishman said that he could figure out the Jharkhand-born Dhoni’s tactics since he understood Punjabi and Hindi. But Panesar acted oblivious to what MSD spoke.

The 38-year-old Panesar talked about Dhoni’s tactics during a recent interaction with The Times of India (TOI).

I heard and acted as if I didn’t hear anything, says Monty Panesar

“I remember his tips to the bowlers, especially spinners from behind the stumps. Abhi thodi wide ball daalo. Abhi thoda seedha stumps pe rakho. Ye cross line khelne waala hai, seedha daalo. Ye deep mid-wicket pe chakka marega, thoda wide rakhna.

“(Bowl a little wide now. Now bowl straight on the stumps. He is going to play across the line, so bowl straight. He will try for a six over mid-wicket, so bowl a little wide),” Panesar said

“I can speak Hindi and Punjabi to a great extent. MSD thought I didn’t understand. I heard everything, but I also acted like MSD, as if I didn’t hear anything. I heard and (then) acted as if I didn’t hear anything. But I knew everything,” he stated.

“And believe me, he (Dhoni) has done this a number of times and got wickets. And that’s what I love about MS Dhoni and I am proud that I have played against him,” Panesar added, sounding delighted of playing alongside the veteran cricketer from Ranchi.

Lauding Dhoni, Panesar said that it’s tough to get into the keeper’s mind and gauge his plans. On August 15, MSD retired from international cricket, bidding goodbye through a post on Instagram. Along with him, Suresh Raina also called it a day.

Dhoni would now be see seen in the Chennai Super Kings’ jersey in the Indian Premier League (IPL), starting September 19 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).