Former Team India and current Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper MS Dhoni is known for bringing out the best from the youngsters. Under his guidance, many emerging stars have become great cricketers in the Indian team and CSK.
One such example is Sri Lankan mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana who played a key role in the side’s title win in the last edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Theekshana picked as many as 11 wickets in the last edition of the cash-rich league as CSK went on to clinch the title. Despite his prowess as a bowler, Theekshana faced criticism for his fielding performances, particularly on social media platforms. The Sri Lankan spinner drew flak from fans for his misfields and dropped catches.
In a recent interview, Theekshana recalled a rather unusual meeting with MS Dhoni after the season where they discussed the concern.
“Right after the finals, Matheesha Pathirana and I had to leave. We had a party after the final, and when we were about to leave, we met MS Dhoni to say goodbye. He hugged me and said, ‘Next time, no bowling for you. Only batting and fielding,” said Theekshana.
“Last year, I wasn’t pretty good in the field. I dropped 4-5 catches, and I take responsibility for that. Still, they had confidence in me. They didn’t drop me. It is easy to play with him because of that. He knows people can make mistakes, and he gives them chances to improve. That’s the good part about him,” he added.