Former Indian captain MS Dhoni has been praised for his ability to strike a balance between using technology and relying on instinct and game knowledge.

According to former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif, Dhoni and Rohit Sharma have perfected the art of combining technology with common sense in cricket.

Kaif, who has played 125 ODIs and 13 Tests for India, underlined that while technology might provide useful insights, it cannot account for the dynamic events and pressures that develop during a match. In such moments, he believes that common sense and mental fortitude become crucial, and Dhoni excels in this regard.

“Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Rohit Sharma have achieved a balance between utilizing technology and applying common sense in the game. The situations that arise during a match cannot be predicted by a computer. No matter how many meetings you have, on match day, it’s common sense that prevails under pressure. It’s your mental strength and capability that you use. Dhoni sahab se bada example koi nahi hoga (There’s no greater example than Mr Dhoni),” Kaif told 180 Not Out podcast.

“Dhoni as a leader, forget about his computer-like mind… in the last over, during the last ball, the bowler is under pressure. He views the game differently. He has instinct, gut feeling, experience, everything. He has tried everything. If you think you should hit a six on this ball, Dhoni will say to wait one more ball, maybe the bowler will deliver a bad one,” Kaif added.

While MS Dhoni retired from international cricket in 2020, Rohit Sharma is leading the Indian team in the ongoing 2024 T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies.