Mumbai : Former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming on Sunday said Mahendra Singh Dhoni remains the best finisher of the limited overs game, hailing the World Cup- winning captain after he turned the clock back with a destructive knock.
India’s most successful captain in both Tests and ODIs cracked a 34-ball 61 to steer Rising Pune Supergiant to a last-ball victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL on Saturday.
“It was vintage, wasn’t it? It was a performance that was befitting of a man who has the reputation of being a great finisher,” Rising Pune Supergiant coach Fleming said.
He added, “There has been a discussion around when was the last time he has played an innings like that. You got to remember playing an innings like that we had got a bit blasé about how special they were.”
Fleming was speaking on the eve of his team’s game against table-toppers Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium.
“Yesterday (on Saturday) he proved again that when he is in the mood and has got the sight or the feel for the bowling he is still the most destructive closer because of his composure and hitting skills. “And people were questioning his form but certainly from the finishing point of view I will reiterate we got a bit blasé because it was happening so often.
“We benefitted from it at Chennai (Super Kings) a lot and people were yearning for a performance like that. And like all great players do, he delivered,” Fleming gushed about Dhoni’s knock.
Fleming conceded that Dhoni was a bit concerned about the lack of form and was keen to set it right–PTI