Chennai Super Kings fast bowler Khaleel Ahmed has revealed MS Dhoni’s advice, which helped him during IPL 2025. During the preparatory camp, Dhoni asked Ahmed to work on his inswinger and the left-arm seamer said he practiced it for 20 days.
Though CSK had a tough season, finishing as the cellar-dwellers of the tournament, Khaleel had a decent run with the ball. The fast bowler scalped 15 wickets in 14 matches at an average of 29.80 and an economy rate of 9.57.
CSK had roped in Khaleel for INR 4.80 crore in IPL 2025 mega auction and Ahmed was franchise’s second best bowler after Noor Ahmad.
Ahmed said in an interview with RevSportz, “It is an absolute honor. He (Dhoni) was there during the preparatory camp, 25 days before the start of the IPL and I went to him to personally get clarity on how I see myself in the team so he gave me tips on how I can improve my skills and asked me to practice my in-swinger. I did that continuously for 20 straight days as per his instruction.”
The 27-year-old said Dhoni gave him the freedom on the field and allowed him to make his own decisions, which gave him a shot in the arm.
“And playing with him is like — he lets me make my own decisions on the ground. At times when I have approached him asking if I can bowl a certain way in a certain situation, he has shown that confidence in me and let me play my own game. And then no matter the result, his reaction has remained the same.”
“Also, him being the wicketkeeper, witnessing so many angles and types of balls from behind the wicket, showing confidence in my choice of bowling style, has made me feel like I too have the capability of deciding what’s right and what’s wrong on the ground.”
Ahmed reckons he deserves to play for India after consistent performances in a tough league like the IPL. During IPL 2024, the fast bowler had scalped 17 wickets for Delhi Capitals.
“Talking about white-ball cricket, the IPL is a tough competition, even in the foreigners quota, the top ones play so If I am able to bowl dot balls on the flat Chennai pitch then I believe I have the ability to represent India. If I can make my name shine and prove myself on those wickets as a domestic player, competing against foreigners who represent their countries, then I believe I deserve to play for India,” said Khaleel.
Ahmed has picked up 89 wickets in 71 IPL matches.
