Mohit Sharma credits MS Dhoni for giving him confidence in pressure situations

Mohit Sharma

Mohit Sharma, the 25-year-old pacer from Haryana, credited his captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni for making him feel confident to handle the pressure situations. Mohit, who represents Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League, also under the captaincy of Dhoni, rose to fame after his stellar performances in his debut IPL season last year.

“The most important person who helps you handle pressure is your captain. I am lucky MS Dhoni is my skipper at India and Chennai Super Kings. If I get hit for a six and two fours in the same over, Mahi bhai does not grumble,” said Mohit Sharma, who has played 8 ODI matches for his country.

“He will say that I bowled well but the batsman hit a good shot. Such support from your captain puts you at ease during pressure situations. It is important to stay calm and composed. The more you think, the more the pressure is compounded,” said the right-arm seamer, when speaking to ESPNcricinfo, about his success against some world class limited overs batsmen in the just concluded IPL.

“In Dubai against Mumbai Indians [in IPL 2014], Kieron Pollard and Ambati Rayudu were at the crease during the final overs. My plan was to bowl back-of-the-hand slower deliveries pitched back of a length. Mahi bhai agreed [with that approach] since the pitch was very slow and the ball was gripping the surface, making it difficult for the batsmen to hit out. He treats you in the same manner if you perform or fail,” said Mohit Sharma, when asked to cite one particular example of what he was saying about.

On his state teammates’ remarks that he has become more smart after his IPL stints, he said: “It is the game's demand: you have to be smart.”

“It is necessary to be street-smart. The performances might ebb and flow, but when your captain and team are confident in you, you automatically switch on. Mahi bhai throws the ball to me during tough situations and that responsibility has increased my confidence,” Mohit said.

The bowler is said to be following an interesting way to prepare for a match by writing down his thought processes.

When questioned whether it is real: “Yes, I do that. I take two sheets of paper: I write whatever positive feelings are runnin through my mind on one and negative ones on the second. Then I bin the sheet of negative feelings. So if things are not going in my favour, I can recollect those positive thoughts and pump myself up,” revealed Mohit.

He also had some good words to say on his CSK coach and former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming: “The best part about Fleming is that he never makes you feel like you are talking to a coach. He behaves like a team-mate.”

“He grasps various things about you, considering he has been a successful player and captain at the international level. He understands how I can handle pressure and when I should bowl during a match. During the playoff game, Mumbai threatened to raise a 200-plus target at one stage.”

“During the second time-out Fleming pointed out that my final two overs could turn the game back in our favour. That put me on the alert and I complemented Aashu bhai [Ashish Nehra] well. We restricted Mumbai to a target that was achievable. Such prompt advice from your coach can only build your confidence and inspire you,” said Mohit.