'MS Dhoni grabbed the opportunities when Parthiv Patel and Dinesh Karthik failed' - Ashish Nehra

MS Dhoni, the veteran cricketer is one of the best wicketkeeping-batsman that India has ever produced in its cricketing history. When the former Indian skipper arrived at the international scene, he got tough competition from Dinesh Karthik and Parthiv Patel. However, he outclassed them with his hard work and determination. Now, Ashish Nehra, the former Indian bowler has opened saying Dhoni tasted success as he grabbed the opportunities and utilized them to the fullest.

The 38-year-old is known as one of the most intelligent cricket minds in the international scene. He has certainly changed the dynamics of Indian cricket and led them to win T20 as well as the 50-over World Cup. Currently, Dhoni is moving in the fag end of his career and has not played a single game since 2019 World Cup semi-final. However, this can’t raise a question on his talent and credibility. Dhoni has reaped out lots of success from behind the stumps as well.

Ashish Nehra opens up on MS Dhoni’s career

Parthiv Patel and Dinesh Karthik made their debut for Team India before Dhoni arrived in the international scene. Moreover, the duo was already in the spotlight as they had already played against some big teams like England and Australia. However, coming from behind, Dhoni cemented his berth in the team in a very short span of time on the back of some brilliant performances and the rest is history.

Now, Ashish Nehra opened over the same saying that Dhoni didn’t perform well in his initial games. The biggest plus for the 38-year-old was his confidence. His blistering knock against Men in Green was a statement of his arrival. He also added that Dhoni was not a very good wicketkeeper. Players that played before him were very good like Kiran More and Nayan Mongia. But, there was something special in him that separated Dhoni from others.

“Dhoni didn’t have a great time in his initial matches. But when a confident man like him gets an opportunity and cashes in, then it’s hard to pull him back. Unwavering self-confidence is Dhoni’s strength. That inning was like he had tasted blood and he yearned for more.

He hardly ever batted at No. 3 after that innings but he had made a statement that day. Dhoni wasn’t the best wicketkeeper around when he first came in. All those who played before him were really good. He was certainly not a Kiran More or a Nayan Mongia,” Ashish Nehra said as quoted by Times of India.

Nehra recited the fact that Dhoni performed extremely well in limited opportunities whereas Parthiv Patel and Dinesh Karthik failed in doing the same. The veteran cricketer might not be a technically sound batsman or a traditional gloveman. But, he was surely the best wicketkeeper-batsman.

“Dhoni did what DK and Parthiv couldn’t make the most of his opportunities. Dhoni may not have been the best-looking batsman or a sound wicketkeeper but he certainly was the best wicketkeeper-batsman,” Nehra added.