Dhoni's valuable inputs to Steven Smith helped team perform well: Manoj Tiwary

The star-studded Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS) player Manoj Tiwary is content with the way the team has performed this season. RPS could not perform to their optimum level in their first campaign and finished second from the bottom of the table. This led the team management to do some hefty changes in their squad going into the tenth edition of the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL). As a result, Mahendra Singh Dhoni was eased out of the captaincy role for RPS and Steven Smith was named as a replacement for him.

This however raised a lot of eyebrows in world cricket and the decision was criticized heavily. Currently, Pune is placed third in the points table with 16 points to their name in 12 games. They have won 7 of their last 8 games and need a win against Delhi Daredevils (DD) to seal the playoff spot. RPS batsman Manoj Tiwary says Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s valuable inputs to skipper Steven Smith has helped the team perform well in the Indian Premier League.

Speaking on the eve of their match against DD, Tiwary spoke highly of Dhoni. “There is no need for me to say anything really. We have all seen that on television (how Dhoni is helping Smith and team). Mahi bhai has been helping Smith really well. He being the wicketkeeper has the best possible position to guide the players. Not only he helps Smith but other players too with their positions,” Manoj Tiwary quoted.

“Smith is also under a lot of pressure on the field (so Dhoni being there takes some load off Smith’s shoulders). That way he has been very co-operative. Smith doesn’t talk too much off the field but he is aggressive on the field. If he has to convey a message, it is pretty loud and clear,” he added further.

Manoj Tiwary satisfied with his own performance

Talking about his own form, Tiwary said he is satisfied with his batting this season but it has not been his best effort. “My best came with the KKR when we won the title and I scored more than 350 runs. This season I had a plan. I wanted to bat with a higher strike rate no matter what the situation is,” he conceded.