IPL 2014: CSK's Dwayne Smith credits Robin Singh for improving his game

Dwayne Smith

After a stunning knock of 79 off 51 deliveries against Delhi Daredevils, Chennai Super Kings’s destructive opener, Dwayne Smith has given the credit of his success in the subcontinent to ex-Indian cricketer, Robin Singh.

“One of the guys I always respect is Robin Singh. I know he’s not with us in Chennai but he has done a lot of work with me and I have to thank him a lot for what I have done especially in subcontinent,” Smith said in the post-match press conference last night.

Smith has a good rapport with Trinidad and Tobago-born Robin Singh, who has been the fielding coach of Mumbai Indians over the years. Smith worked with Robin when the latter was coaching Barbados in Caribbean Premier League.

“I would credit Robin for working with me, especially helping me get control of my game. To survive in international cricket or any type of cricket you need to score runs. And you can’t score runs just by smashing around. In between you have to work around the singles and twos to keep the scoreboard ticking,” he said.

With Dwayne Smith and Brendon McCullum playing well at the top order, opening does not seem to be an issue for the CSK any more.

When asked if IPL has helped him showcase his opening talent, an honest Smith said, “I can say that IPL has given me a chance to showcase my opening skills but I actually use to open for my local team in Barbados and that is where I got a chance to play the new ball. It was my decision to take that chance and since that time I have been doing very well.”

31 year old Smith also revealed that IPL is not all about smashing the ball. “If I want to stay in international cricket or any type of big cricket, I will have to keep scoring runs. You just can’t score runs by smashing the ball. So in between you have to work around the ball.”