Indian cricket team’s former mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton has stated that former captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has the ability to influence other players and his wealth of experience at the top level is what sets him apart from others.

Upton witnessed Dhoni from close quarters as he was part of the Indian coaching staff during the 2011 World Cup, which India won emphatically by dispatching Sri Lanka in the final. The 50-year-old lauded Dhoni calming effect on others and said batsmen feel comfortable in the middle if they know he will come out to bat next.

“He has calmness, composure, clarity and he influences other players. They are able to feel calm and composed themselves. The knowledge that Dhoni would come to the crease after them makes the batsmen feel easier. He manages the high-pressure moments well. He has an intuitive feeling for the game,” Upton was quoted as saying by The Hindu.

Recently, Dhoni led Chennai Super Kings to yet another final where they lost to Mumbai Indians in the 12th edition of the Indian Premier League. Dhoni smashed 416 runs in 15 matches, including three half-centuries.

With the ICC World Cup 2019 fast approaching, Dhoni’s form bodes well for the Indian team as he remains a vital cog in the middle order. The first match will be played between England and South Africa on May 30 while India open their campaign on June 5 against the Proteas.

First Published: May 19, 2019 10:10 IST