MS Dhoni's advice extremely helpful, says Vijay Hazare Trophy hero Shahbaz Nadeem

Jharkhand’s left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem thanked India wicketkeeper MS Dhoni for his advice ahead of the Vijay Hazare Trophy. On Thursday Nadeem broke a 20-year old record of the best bowling performance in List ‘A’ cricket as he registered staggering figures of 8-10 in a 50-overs encounter against Rajasthan.

Nadeem completed his quota of 10 overs, bowling as many as 4 maidens. Having won the toss, Rajasthan elected to bat first, but Shahbaz Nadeem spun a web around the opposition batting line-up. Rajasthan was bundled out for a meagre 73, which Jharkhand chased down comfortably.

Nadeem’s figures bettered former India and Delhi left-arm spinner Rahul Sanghvi’s 8-15, which was recorded in a One-Dayer for Delhi against Himachal Pradesh in 1997-98. Shahbaz Nadeem has also been plying his trade in the IPL, representing the Delhi Daredevils for several years.

What was Dhoni’s advice?

Nadeem trained with Team India in Dubai ahead of the Asia Cup. During a net-session, MS Dhoni came up to him and offered him a useful piece of advice. “Mahi bhai assured me I was bowling well, but I needed to take care of the field placements. He guided me on setting fields for different batsmen, who try particular shots frequently. To create additional pressure on the batsmen, he suggested specific field placements,” Nadeem was quoted as saying to Mid-Day.

He added, “Though I have bowled to all these India batsmen in the T20, bowling to them at the India nets was totally a new experience for me. I asked them how I bowled or which delivery of mine did they struggle to pick, so you get first-hand acknowledgement. You get a fair idea whether you are on the right track, so bowling to the Indian team is a morale-booster.”

On how MS Dhoni’s advice helped him register the record figures, Nadeem said, “Mahi bhai advised me on how to challenge particular batsmen who are difficult to dismiss so I implemented his advice in today’s game and I was rewarded by clean bowling Rajasthan opener Amitkumar Gautam.

It was my first wicket. When I noticed that the batsman was trying to play across the line, I removed the mid-wicket fielder and placed him at gully. He tried to play across again and was bowled.”

Nadeem has claimed 375 wickets in 99 first-class games while his List ‘A’ tally has reached 124 in 87 games.

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