I followed Dhoni’s plan: Tahir heaps praise on Chennai skipper after victory

Imran Tahir was happy that he could execute skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s plans during CSK’s five-wicket win over KKR in an IPL encounter here on Sunday. Tahir with figures of 4 for 27 was one of the architects of CSK’s victory on the day.

“I just bowled according to the captain’s instructions. It’salways beneficial taking advice from Dhoni. He’s helping me a lot. It’s anabsolute pleasure and the credit goes to him,” Man-of-the-match Tahir toldreporters at the post-match news conference.

   

Tahir said that Dhoni specifically pointed out areas wherehe was asked to bowl.

“There are few things which he tells me like where I need tobowl, which area and where the guy is going to hit. It’s working and I’m justloving it. We are playing good cricket. We respect each other and enjoy eachother’s success,” Tahir who is the joint leading wicket taker with KagisoRabada with 13 to his tally said.

What works for Tahir is the fact that Dhoni can pre-emptwhere a batsman is trying to hit.

“Those were small things. He tells me like this guy istrying to hit in this area so I bowl accordingly. I am an attacking spinner andwant to take wickets and he allows me to bowl that way,” Tahir said of Dhoni.

Russell started of in his usual explosive way hitting theleg-spinner for a boundary and six but he bounced back to dismiss thebig-hitting Jamaican for the first time under 40 in seven matches.

“I could have bowled two more dot balls to him or one run tohim. But I wanted to take the challenge and wanted to get him out as simple asthat. He hit me for four and a six which was fine. In the end, I got his wicketwhich was very important for the team more than personal achievement. He’s sucha good player especially at the death so it’s a pleasure to get him out.”

The 40-year-old was among three players who were not awardeda central contract by Cricket South Africa for the 2019-20 season.

“I decided not to play after the World Cup, purely to giveopportunity to youngsters. I don’t want to retire I love the game and have alot of respect and passion for the game.

“It’s not that I’m not given contract but more to give opportunity to the youngsters. I’m grateful to CSA they are the one who gave me the opportunity and I’m here today,” Tahir who is set to retire from ODIs after the World Cup said. He further said his IPL exposure would help him immensely in the World Cup.

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