MS Dhoni is one of the sharpest cricket minds I have encountered: Greg Chappell

Legendary Australian cricketer Greg Chappell has heaped praise on former Indian captain MS Dhoni. He has called him a cricketer with the sharpest mind. He said that Dhoni’s decision-making skills set him apart from his other contemporaries.

Chappell, who is regarded among the legendary batsmen in Australia, was the coach of the Indian cricket team from 2005 to 2007 but his tenure remained controversial for several reasons.

Writing for popular cricket website ESPNcricinfo, he said, “The developed cricket countries have lost the natural environments that were a big part of their development structure in bygone eras. In those environments, young cricketers learned from watching good players and then emulating them in pick-up matches with family and friends."

He added, "The Indian subcontinent still has many towns where coaching facilities are rare and youngsters play in streets and on vacant land without the interference of formal coaching. This is where many of their current stars have learned the game."

As Dhoni also came from a Ranchi, capital city of Jharkhand, Chappell said, "MS Dhoni, with whom I worked in India, is a good example of a batter who developed his talent and learned to play in this fashion.”

He added, "By competing against more experienced individuals on a variety of surfaces early in his development, Dhoni developed the decision-making and strategic skills that have set him apart from many of his peers. His is one of the sharpest cricket minds I have encountered.”