Monty Panesar Says, "MS Dhoni Thought I Didn't Understand Hindi"

Mahendra Singh Dhoni is known as 'Captain Cool'. He was a master strategist and gives instructions to the players to deliver the best from behind the stumps. Most of the young bowlers believe that, 'When in trouble, look for Mahi Bhai.' The leadership qualities of Dhoni are incredible and his strategic thinking has made India won matches many times.

Former England spinner Monty Panesar in an interview with Times of India, he said that MS Dhoni was a calm guy and would not say much, but he was a great judge of nonverbal communication. He further added that he could understand what Dhoni was saying in Hindi as a part of his instructions.

Monty Panesar said that, “I remember his tips to the bowlers, especially spinners from behind the stumps. Abhi thodi wide ball daalo. Abhi thoda seedha stumps pe rakho. Ye cross line khelne waala hai, seedha daalo. Ye deep mid-wicket pe chakka marega, thoda wide rakhna. (Bowl a little wide now. Now bowl straight on the stumps. He is going to play across the line, so bowl straight. He will try for a six over mid-wicket, so bowl a little wide)".

Panesar added that he could speak Hindi and Punjabi to a great extent. He recalled that Dhoni thought Panesar didn't understand Hindi. He said that, "I heard everything, but I also acted like MSD, as if I didn’t hear anything. I heard and (then) acted as if I didn’t hear anything. But I knew everything. And believe me, he (Dhoni) has done this a number of times and got wickets. And that’s what I love about MS Dhoni and I am proud that I have played against him."

The former England bowler further said that, "MS Dhoni was very good at reading other people, but people couldn’t read him. That was another strength. You will never be able to know what is going on in Dhoni’s mind when he is at the crease and India need 15 runs per over in the last three overs. And he gets it. How does he do it? That’s MSD’s secret.”