Dhoni's Stunning Stumping Leaves Hayden in Awe During IPL Match
Dhoni's Remarkable Reflexes Shine Again
Mahendra Singh Dhoni's incredible reflexes behind the stumps were on full display during an IPL match, impressing former Australian opener Matthew Hayden, who praised the former Indian captain's skills despite his age.
At 43, Dhoni is approaching the twilight of his career, having retired from international cricket five years ago. He continues to play solely for the Chennai Super Kings, a team he has led to five IPL championships.
On Sunday, Dhoni demonstrated his exceptional talent once more by swiftly removing the bails off Noor Ahmad's delivery, sending Suryakumar Yadav back to the dugout.
Hayden, who played alongside Dhoni at CSK until 2010, remarked on ESPNcricinfo's T20 Time Out, "He (Dhoni) was on fire. Noor Ahmad was delivering the ball down the leg side, and it required a precise movement across the ball. These situations can be tricky when partially obscured by the batsman."
He continued, "The stumping was simply outstanding, showcasing quick timing, excellent hands, and sharp vision. He still possesses it all."
The stumping of Suryakumar, who scored 29 runs, proved pivotal as CSK broke a 51-run partnership and limited the Mumbai Indians to a total of 155/9. CSK successfully chased the target with four wickets remaining and five balls to spare at Chepauk.
Noor Ahmad expressed his admiration during the post-match presentation, stating, "The stumping from MSD was out of this world. It's fantastic to have someone like Mahi Bhai behind the stumps; he provides great support for me."
According to Star Sports, Dhoni executed the stumping in a remarkable 0.12 seconds.
Piyush Chawla, a former India and CSK spinner, suggested that Dhoni likely practiced with Noor during the pre-season camp to hone his stumping skills.
"It can be challenging if you haven't kept for someone before," he noted. "However, I'm confident he practiced extensively, especially with new bowlers, to ensure he is familiar with their wrist positions."