'He has got MS Dhoni sort of a feel' - KKR coach Brendon McCullum impressed with Sheldon Jackson's wicketkeeping skills

Kolkata Knight Riders head coach Brendon McCullum is really impressed with wicketkeeper Sheldon Jackson’s skills and has gone on to compare him with the likes of the legendary skipper MS Dhoni and star Caribbean power-hitter Andre Russell. The 35-year-old grabbed headlines when he effected a lightning-fast stumping to dismiss Robin Uthappa during the IPL 2022 curtain-raiser against Chennai Super Kings.

Praising Jackson’s unique abilities, McCullum has said that the Bhavnagar cricketer’s growth in the last two years has been significant and even though he is 35, he is only getting better and better. At the same time, the ex-New Zealand skipper also made it clear that the senior stumper’s performances will surely improve with more opportunities.

Sheldon continues to get better and better, Brendon McCullum

“Sheldon continues to get better and better. He is 35, but you wouldn’t know. His growth in the last two years has been significant. He has a good ball-striking ability. And very few players hit the ball as far as he does, he is not too far, if not the same, behind Andre Russell when he is striking the ball. I am sure with more opportunities, we will see a performance from Sheldon,” said Brendon McCullum was quoted as saying by ‘Sportstar’.

“The wicketkeeping skills have been superb. He has got a MS Dhoni sort of a feel about keeping; really fast hands, and an understanding of spin. He knows what the bowlers are doing. He is desperate to do well,” he added.

Sheldon Jackson might not have donned the Indian jersey as of now but, he is one of the renowned names in the domestic circuit. He has prior experience playing in the IPL. He had represented KKR in 2009 and 2010, then from 2015 to 2017 before once again coming back to the franchise last year. He also featured for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2013 and 2014 editions.

Apart from his stumping in the first game, Sheldon Jackson went on to take three catches including that of Virat Kohli, and also effected a stumping of Shahbaz Ahmed during the game against RCB. With the bat, he scored an unbeaten three runs in the opener against CSK and was dismissed for a golden duck against Bangalore.