MS Dhoni's masterclass on unorthodox wicketkeeping: Why do I need to receive the ball when I can snatch it?

Speaking at a promotional event, MS Dhoni shed light on how former India wicketkeeper Kiran More helped him retain his unorthodox technique and how it helped him evolve as a better gloveman. Dhoni finished his international career as the third-most successful wicketkeeper.

Legendary MS Dhoni s known for his lightning-fast glovework as much as he is for his captaincy, finishing skills and calm demeanor on the field. The former India captain hardly gave those extra few seconds for a batter to return to the crease as stumped them by whipping the bails off in a flash.

MS Dhoni has set a benchmark with his ability to be precise behind the wickets. The Chennai Super Kings star had his issues with his glovework at the start of his career but he evolved into one of the finest in the game. With his unorthodox technique, Dhoni won plenty of fans for the wicketkeeping aspect of his game.

MS Dhoni finished his international career with 829 dismissals, including 195 stumpings - the 3rd most successful wicketkeeper across all formats. He is only behind Mark Boucher (998) and Adam Gilchrist (905). However, Dhoni leads the list when it comes to the number of stumpings - 195.

What made Dhoni a special wicketkeeper? The legendary cricketer himself explained at a recent Livfast event, explaining that the freedom that his mentor Kiran More gave during the early stage of his international career helped him evolve.

"I also started playing tennis ball cricket. When you keep wickets while playing with a tennis ball, it's important to have soft hands. When you have hard hands, the ball lips out. So we all started from there," Dhoni said."As far as wicketkeeping with the leather ball is concerned, I got a lot of help. Initially, when Kiran More was a selector, he used to be around the team. He helped me a lot with my keeping, with my drills. What I really liked was, he understood my wicketkeeping technique was unique and that I was not copybook style," he added.

Dhoni cut down on microseconds by going against convention. The wicketkeeper did not pull his hand back while collecting the ball but kept bringing his hand forward and snatched it. The unconventional but effective technique made him pull off some amazingly fast stumpings over the years.

Explaining the method to the madness, Dhoni said: "Over the last 50 years, keepers have been doing the same. It was basic learning for me. They say in cricket that you give, i.e. when the ball is coming at you, you are supposed to receive the ball. I said 'why do you need to receive the ball?'