Kolkata: Former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni had been the centre of attraction at the Eden Gardens today as the Jharkhand skipper seemed to be in a very much happy-go-lucky mood in the training, enjoying the drills with his team mates.
After stepping down from captaincy for both national side and IPL outfit, the most successful skipper of India will lead Jharkhand in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy starting on Saturday. The relaxed Jharkhand captain spent most of his time bowling in nets and some batting followed by that at the Eden Gardens on Thursday.
Earlier in January, when Kohli’s India faced England in the third ODI at Eden Gardens, the Jharkhand wicket-keeper batsman was also seen bowling at the nets before putting on the gloves.
During the break from batting or bowling at the nets, the most successful wicket-keeper batsman of India was seen chatting with Saurabh Tiwary and few other Jharakhand players.
Among them, the teenage sensation Virat Singh, who was a part of East Zone’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy winning team, told the media that Dhoni always helps his young team-mates in every way.
“I respect him a lot so I stay a bit away from him. I am not scared though. He is very approachable and whenever I am in doubt I go to him. I still haven’t got the time to interact with him on a one on one basis, but will do soon,” Virat, who scored a half-century in the final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali T-20, said.
Virat was very happy with the support he got from his East Zone team-mates and support-staffs.
“The atmosphere in the team was really very good. The coach and captain always backed us during the tournament. They were very supportive and Manoj bhai led the side very well, “ he added.
In the final two games of the tournament Virat was in the attacking mode from his first ball. On being asked whether it is his normal batting style, he replied,” I always play according to the match situation. When it comes to the longer format of the game I always play cautiously and in T-20’s you have to utilize the powerplay, that’s why I always try to score quickly because it will help my team.”
Jharkand take on Karnataka at the Eden Gardens on Saturday in their opener.