Former Indian cricket team captain MS Dhoni, known as one of the best finishers and wicketkeepers in world cricket, shocked fans with an unusual secret. According to former Indian fielding coach R. Sridhar, Dhoni stopped practising wicketkeeping after a certain point in his international career.

Why Did Dhoni Stop Wicketkeeping Practice?

R. Sridhar revealed that Dhoni trained hard on wicketkeeping during the early phase of his career, especially before 2005–2007, when he secured his place in the Indian team. But after establishing himself in all three formats, Test, ODI, and T20, his workload increased dramatically.

Dhoni realised that constant practice was damaging his fingers due to the high volume of catches and throws he was making. To protect himself, he made a bold decision: he stopped formal wicketkeeping practice.

Dhoni’s Smart Trick Instead of Training

Even though Dhoni stopped wicketkeeping drills, he didn’t let his sharpness fade. Instead, he focused on small reaction drills to maintain agility and reflexes. These exercises kept his focus strong and ensured his hands moved at lightning speed.

This simple yet effective trick explains why Dhoni remained the fastest behind the stumps despite reducing his training load.

Old clip of MS Dhoni where he is talking about his Wicket keeping 🧤 .

Now he is the Greatest Wicket keeper of the Game ❤️ pic.twitter.com/lt4U6s980R

— MAHIYANK™ (@Mahiyank_78) February 23, 2023

Records That Prove His Mastery

Dhoni’s numbers speak for themselves:

• 829 dismissals in international cricket

• 634 catches and a world-record 195 stumpings

• In his final IPL season at the age of 44, he still showed brilliance with 6 catches and 5 stumpings for the Chennai Super Kings.

These stats highlight how Dhoni maintained his extraordinary wicketkeeping skills without traditional practice.

Dhoni’s Legacy as a Wicketkeeper and Captain

Cricket experts often call Dhoni the best captain and best finisher the game has ever seen. His unique wicketkeeping technique, though different from conventional styles, proved highly effective. His quick stumpings and clever field placements remain unmatched.

By reducing his training workload and relying on reaction drills, Dhoni showed that smart preparation can sometimes beat hard repetition.

Ms Dhoni is the only Greatest of all the time in wicket Keeping 🙂

Last ball, Gloves off and That throw straight as Arrow 🥵🔥 #MsDhoni pic.twitter.com/JMdTC3AERi

— Mistor billa ‘ (@Dhonivilla) May 27, 2023

Final Thoughts

MS Dhoni’s story is a lesson in efficiency, self-awareness, and cricket intelligence. His ability to adapt, protect his body, and still deliver world-class performances makes him a true legend of the game.

Even today, fans admire how Dhoni turned an unconventional method into a career-defining strength. His decision to stop practising wicketkeeping but still dominate the role proves why he is celebrated as one of cricket’s greatest icons.