In an era where Indian cricket is grappling with the concept of workload management, fast bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah have become the latest examples of how a packed schedule can take a toll on players.
But long before the term became a buzzword, MS Dhoni had already found his own way of dealing with it and it worked brilliantly.
Dhoni’s Workload Challenge
Having made his India debut in 2004, Dhoni quickly rose to become one of the most dependable wicketkeeper-batters in world cricket. Leading India to the 2007 T20 World Cup, the 2011 ODI World Cup, and the 2013 Champions Trophy, he also captained the Test team to the No. 1 ranking. But such consistency across formats came at a price – relentless workload.
Former India fielding coach R Sridhar, in an interaction with Cricket.com, revealed that Dhoni had to change his approach midway through his career.
“While he was growing up, and while he was yet to make a mark in international cricket, he worked a lot on his wicketkeeping skills. But once he started playing three formats for India, the workload was so much that there was no need for him to practice more,” Sridhar recalled.
Cutting Down Wicket-keeping Drills
Dhoni’s decision was simple yet effective – reduce the strain from repetitive drills. With back-to-back cricket throughout the year, including two months of the Indian Premier League (IPL) as Chennai Super Kings captain, Dhoni’s fingers and reflexes had already been tested in live-match scenarios.
“His fingers were taking a beating, collecting deliveries and throws day in, day out. That is when he smartly decreased wicket-keeping practice and instead did reaction drills to stay sharp,” Sridhar explained.
This small but significant shift helped Dhoni remain at his peak for years.
Stepping Away from Tests
Recognising the demands of being an all-format captain, Dhoni took another bold step – retiring from Test cricket in 2014 to focus on white-ball cricket. The decision prolonged his international career by five more years, culminating in his final appearance at the 2019 Cricket World Cup.
Legacy of Lightning Hands
Dhoni’s wicketkeeping numbers are staggering – 1,286 dismissals in 959 professional matches, a testament to his skill and fitness. Even after his international retirement, Dhoni continues to lead CSK in the IPL, with fans eagerly awaiting his decision for the 2026 season.
A Lesson for Modern Cricket
Dhoni’s journey shows that workload management is not just about rest but also about smart adjustments in training and preparation. For a cricketer who balanced captaincy, batting, and wicketkeeping, his ability to adapt remains one of the biggest reasons why he is still playing professional cricket at 44.