Stop looking at me and bowl: CSK throwdown specialist recalls reunion with MS Dhoni
India Today
MS Dhoni retired from international cricket in August 2020 after which he continued playing for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) throwdown specialist Kondappa Raj Palani recalled the times when he met MS Dhoni after the latter retired from international cricket. Back in August 2020, the now 40-year-old Dhoni bid adieu to Team India through a post on his official Instagram account.
Back in 2004, Dhoni made his debut for the national team against Bangladesh in Chattogram and played his last game in the 2019 World Cup semi-final against New Zealand in Manchester. The CSK specialist talked about how Dhoni talked to him when he was giving throwdowns to the legendary cricketer.
"The first time, the camp started when Dhoni retired. I saw him for the first time then. He asked if you were the throwers. He asked me to throw balls at him. The team was pleased after that. The net bowlers were speaking about his retirement. After two or three weeks, he came to play sidearm. Everybody was arriving," Palani said on the CSK website.
"Fleming, Hussey and everyone said Dhoni was coming and asked me to bowl carefully. The first two balls were wides. The next ball was a full toss. Dhoni came to me and said 'Stop looking at me and bowl'. He asked me to play naturally. I then started bowling wherever he wanted and then he was very happy. He started addressing me everyday since with my name," he added.
After quitting international cricket, Dhoni has continued playing for the Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). In 2022, he didn’t have the best of campaigns after the four-time IPL champions failed to qualify for the playoffs.
Dhoni, in the meantime, confirmed that he would return to play in the 2023 edition of the tournament. The veteran said that it would be unfair on the Chennai fans if he retired from all cricket after not playing at Chepauk.
