In that season, Smith led the Pune squad which had Dhoni within the facet as Chennai Super Kings had been serving a two-year ban from the competitors. Smith-led RPSG narrowly missed out on the title that season by only one run.
“It was a great experience being able to captain him, but also very daunting as well,” Smith advised Star Sports.
Smith will likely be a part of the commentary group within the upcoming IPL season.
Recalling his experiences of captaining the RPS and the way Dhoni performed an enormous position in that season, Smith stated: “When I got the call to say that they wanted me to captain, it was a little bit daunting. But that season, MSD was just wonderful. You know, he helped in any way that he could and he’s a terrific guy.”
Smith additionally spoke on the feelings he went via when he was picked because the captain of the RPS group and the way he felt main a facet with Dhoni in it.
“Yeah, I didn’t really know what to expect initially, you know, MS had captained every team he played for, obviously throughout the IPL with Chennai, every season should I say.
“But yeah, after they got here and requested me, I used to be a bit of bit shocked at first, after which I did not actually know what to say. It was like, have you ever spoken to MS about this? This is a bit of bit unusual from my facet, however after we sorted all the things out, MS was simply fantastic.
“And the way he helped me and helped guide that team that year was incredible. And yeah, I couldn’t thank him enough.”
Smith stated he was bouncing concepts off Dhoni.
“He was someone that I was bouncing ideas off. You know, being behind the stumps, he’s got a great, great view of the game. He understands the angles really well and obviously playing in India also, you know, it’s his home and he understands those conditions as well as anyone would.”
The Australian additional spoke about what he has been capable of study and emulate from Dhoni through the years.
“I think just the calmness that MS shows, we saw it throughout his career, just how calm he was. It didn’t look like he was flustered by any emotions or anything like that.
“And that is actually one thing that I’ve taken in not simply in that season, however simply watching him go about his business within the prior years, simply how calm and relaxed he was. And you recognize, at occasions I can get fairly agitated and issues like that.
“So you know, I have to try and keep myself as calm and as sort of level headed as I can. And yeah, that’s certainly something that I learned off of MS.”
(With inputs from PTI)
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com