Richard Gleeson Praises MS Dhoni's Humble Nature

New Delhi, Dec 16 (NationPress) England fast bowler Richard Gleeson expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to share a dressing room with the legendary former Indian captain MS Dhoni during his stint with Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2024. He emphasized the humble nature of the five-time IPL champion.

At 36 years and 151 days old, Gleeson made history by becoming the second-oldest player to debut in the IPL when he was brought in as a substitute for New Zealand's Devon Conway by CSK for the 2024 season at a base price of Rs 50 lakh.

Having played six T20 Internationals for England and taken nine wickets, Gleeson brings a wealth of experience, boasting 115 wickets from 102 T20 matches throughout his career.

“Participating in the IPL and representing Chennai was a remarkable experience for me, especially since I entered cricket relatively late. It was my debut in India, and I was truly amazed by the cricketing fervor there. The admiration and respect for MS Dhoni is unparalleled,” Richard conveyed to IANS during a virtual session while involved in the Lanka T10 league.

For Gleeson, the experience of sharing a dressing room with the iconic MS Dhoni was nothing short of extraordinary. “I will always remember the first time I stepped onto the field when he came out to bat. The crowd's enthusiasm was overwhelming—it was pure passion. MS Dhoni, as a person, is incredibly down-to-earth. He enjoys joking around and is always willing to engage in discussions about strategies and ideas. I learned immensely from him, both on and off the field. It was a privilege to be in the same dressing room with him,” he reflected.

Currently, Gleeson is competing in Sri Lanka's T10 League, a format that is gaining popularity in the cricketing community. His experiences in Sri Lanka have been somewhat mixed. “The weather here is quite humid! It’s raining again today, and we’ve already had two matches canceled due to weather conditions. Nonetheless, Sri Lanka is absolutely stunning. We’ve managed to squeeze in some golf during our breaks, which has been enjoyable,” he shared.

Adjusting to the conditions in Sri Lanka has posed challenges for the English pacer. “The playing conditions vary significantly—sometimes the pitches are quick and bouncy, while at other times they are slow and low. Adapting to these fluctuations has been a continuous learning journey,” he explained.

Gleeson sees great potential in T10 cricket, even envisioning its inclusion in the Olympics. “The T20 format has seen tremendous growth over the years, and I believe T10 can follow a similar path. There are discussions about T10 being added to the Olympics, which would be phenomenal for the sport,” he stated.

According to him, the fast-paced nature of T10 cricket encourages players to be innovative. “It’s astounding what teams can accomplish in just 10 overs with the right mindset. For instance, last year in Abu Dhabi, the ball swung considerably early on, prompting teams to rethink their tactics. We now see bowlers employing wide yorkers, slower balls, and other creative deliveries unique to T10 cricket,” he elaborated.

With numerous cricket leagues taking place globally, Gleeson acknowledged that the schedule can be exhausting. “I had only five or six days at home before heading to Sri Lanka, and after this, I’ll have about ten days at home before traveling to South Africa.

To manage the mental and physical toll of constant travel and competition, Richard underscored the necessity of preparation and balance. “It’s essential to put in the effort before a tournament so that you feel confident in your skills. Outside of cricket, I focus on hobbies like golf and paddle. Engaging in interests beyond the game helps me maintain mental freshness and avoid burnout,” he mentioned.

Despite a hectic schedule, Richard attempts to keep up with other sports. “It’s challenging to follow everything, but I do keep an eye on Test cricket and football. I stayed up late last night watching the Manchester derby, which was quite entertaining,” he revealed.

Although Richard missed out on this year’s IPL auction, he remains hopeful. “I’m not particularly disappointed. I still hold out hope of being picked as an injury replacement, but I’m not too disheartened if that doesn’t happen. I believe I’ve performed well since my last IPL season, with an economy rate of 5.5 in the Blast and leading the wicket-takers in Zimbabwe and Abu Dhabi. However, I understand that at 37, teams often prefer younger players who can serve as long-term investments.

As the Sri Lankan league comes to a close, Richard is setting his sights on the SA20 league, where he will represent the Sunrisers Eastern Cape in January. “After that, I’ll head back to Birmingham for pre-season training with Warwickshire to prepare for the English summer. If nothing else comes up in between, that’s the plan for now,” he concluded.