IPL 2017: Hardik Pandya thankful to MS Dhoni for priceless tips as finisher

Mumbai, April 9: Hardik Pandya is often termed Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the making for his ability to bat as a finisher as well as his ability to bowl at 140 kilometer per hour to wreak havoc in the opposition batting.

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But, the Baroda cricketer gets angry whenever someone tries to call him Dhoni in the making.

The 24-year-old refutes and reiterates that there should not be any comparison between him and the former India skipper Dhoni.

His team Mumbai Indians (MI) lost the opening match against Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS), despite his superb last-over blast against Ashoke Dinda in Pune.

The India all rounder, speaking over phone from Mumbai, said, “You can say one thing that I have taken a lot of advices from Mahi (MS Dhoni) Bhai. During the series against England, I had the opportunity to talk to Mahi Bhai often and I took a lot of suggestions from him regarding improvement on my batting as well as bowling."

Pandya added, “Playing as a finisher in the death overs in either one-day international or in a T-20 match is very tough. It becomes totally mental game at that time. Dhoni gave me some priceless suggestions as he said to calculate the remaining runs and overs left while going in to bat.

But at the same time Dhoni's suggestion was not to look at scoreboard after every delivery while batting. At the same time, Dhoni also gave tips on another thing. That was to make an assessment of the opponent bowlers. This helps to take possession on the pitch after going to bat. I am truly indebted to the former Indian skipper for his valuable suggestions."

The all rounder who informed that he has completely been fit following an intensive rehab, done at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, had paid heavy gratitude towards his three legendary coaching staffs, Sachin tendulkar, Mahela Jaywardhane and Johnty Rhodes.

Pandya said, “It is amazing experience for me everyday to share training with the legends as well as get lessons on the game from them in the dressing room."

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