Shadab Jakati reveals how MS Dhoni's masterstroke helped CSK in winning their maiden IPL title

MS Dhoni, the veteran Indian cricketer led the national side from 2007 to 2016 in the limited-overs format and  2008 to 2014 in Tests. Meanwhile, he also led Chennai Super Kings to three trophies since the inception of the IPL. And, in a recent interview, former spinner Shadab Jakati spilled the beans over Dhoni’s masterstroke that helped his CSK in winning their maiden IPL title.

In 2010, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) locked horns with Mumbai Indians in the final that was played at Wankhede Stadium. The visitors managed a total of 168 runs in the final and it seemed enough for them to win the title. MI skipper Sachin Tendulkar was playing at his best before Dhoni played a masterstroke to steer his side to the victory.

Shadab Jakati opines on MS Dhoni’s importance in the side

In the interview, Shadab Jakati recalled a memory from IPL 2010 final. He said that in his first spell, he gave away 21 runs and Dhoni told him that he is going to bowl in the middle-overs.

“I had gone for 21 runs in my first two overs,” Jakati recalled. With left-hander Abhishek Nayar batting, Dhoni told me I’d now bowl in the middle overs,” added the spinner as quoted by Wisden.

As per him, the former India skipper did the same and he pressed him into the action when the hosts were at a score of 74 runs with seven wickets in their hands. Jakati gave only seven runs in his 3rd over and that piled pressure on MI’s batting force.

He revealed that Dhoni asked him to bowl his last over in which he managed to get Sachin Tendulkar (48) wicket. According to him, the 38-year-old was well aware that the opponent batsmen were weak at scoring runs against the left-hand spinner.

“[He kept] me for the right-handers – Sachin Tendulkar, Ambati Rayudu and Kieron Pollard. We had done our homework against MI’s right-handers, who were potentially weak against left-arm spinners,” he added.

After that dismissal, Mumbai’s middle-order collapsed and they had to suffer a defeat by a margin of 22 runs in the 2010 IPL final.

The former player heaped praise for Dhoni and added that he is a bowlers captain, who provides everyone with the liberty to set their own field in the match. Also, Jakati revealed the fact that CSK skipper believes his gut instincts during the games.

“[That’s] purely because he backs his own instincts and gut feeling at that particular time of the match. He gave us the freedom to choose our fields, and if it didn’t work, he’d use his brains. But the first preference was us,” the former CSK player said.