Steve Smith is one of the few players who has been both teammate and an opponent of MS Dhoni besides playing under his captaincy and leading him as well in IPL. During the two IPL seasons – 2016 and 2017 – when Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals were suspended, Rising Pune Supergiant was one of the two teams that took their place. In their first season, RPSG were led by MS Dhoni but after a disappointing seventh spot on the table, they replaced him with Smith for the next year.
Under Smith, RPSG finished as the runners-up losing to Mumbai Indians in a last-ball thriller. MS Dhoni stepped down from CSK captaincy on the eve of the IPL 2024 with Ruturaj Gaikwad taking over the responsibility. The legendary skipper this brought down curtains on his highly successful stint that saw CSK win IPL titles five times, the joint-most in the league’s history.
MS Dhoni The greatest Indian captain ever
MS Dhoni is the only Indian cricket team captain to win the T20 World Cup, the ODI World Cup and the Champions Trophy too. Under MS Dhoni, India became the world No. 1 Test side also. While MS Dhoni has retired from international cricket, he still competes in the IPL for Chennai Super Kings. He led his team to the title in the IPL 2023 and will aim to emulate the feat again this year.
Joint-top with Mumbai Indians in terms of most IPL titles, CSK would love to defend their crown and become the first team to win the tournament six times. MS Dhoni is the only Indian cricket team captain to win the T20 World Cup, the ODI World Cup and the Champions Trophy too. Under MS Dhoni, India became the world No. 1 Test side also. While MS Dhoni has retired from international cricket, he still competes in the IPL for Chennai Super Kings. He led his team to the title in the IPL 2023 and will aim to emulate the feat again this year.
Australian sensational batter Steve Smith was all in awe of MS Dhoni’s tactics in IPL 2024 citing handing of reigns to Ruturaj Gaikwad ahead of the tournament and guiding him wisely.
There were plenty of times when MS Dhoni was great- Steve Smith
Former Australian captain Steve Smith revealed he had an enjoyable experience leading MS Dhoni during the 2017 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Smith captained the Rising Pune Super Giants team that year, which included Dhoni. Steve Smith appreciated Dhoni’s deep cricket knowledge and his ability to read the game from behind the stumps. He found Dhoni helpful and supportive as his captain. Smith led Rising Pune Supergiant to the IPL final in 2017, nearly winning the title.
“There were plenty of times when MS was great, I had fun playing with him. I also liked guiding him. He definitely helped me,” Smith said Star Sports. Smith respected Dhoni’s calm approach to the game. He tried to emulate Dhoni’s level-headed demeanor. The two players developed mutual respect and camaraderie during their IPL stint together. Smith viewed Dhoni as a mentor on and off the field.
“He’s relaxed and a great individual,” Smith added. He further highlighted Dhoni’s exceptional game understanding from behind the wickets.
“In India, there’s nobody better at wicketkeeping than MS Dhoni. He understands the game and its angles like nobody else. Playing with him was fantastic, and I enjoyed his company both on and off the field,” he concluded.
Smith appreciated the opportunity to captain and play alongside the Indian cricket great Dhoni in the IPL. It stood out as a major highlight of his career. MS Dhoni is currently playing for Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League 2024.
MS Dhoni is the only Indian cricket team captain to win the T20 World Cup, the ODI World Cup and the Champions Trophy too. Under MS Dhoni, India became the world No. 1 Test side also. While MS Dhoni has retired from international cricket, he still competes in the IPL for Chennai Super Kings. He led his team to the title in the IPL 2023 and will aim to emulate the feat again this year.