“I’ll Bat My Own Way, Thanks”: When MS Dhoni Lashed Out At Michael Hussey After Getting Out Against Rashid Khan

Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan is one of the most lethal spinners out there and teams ensure to particularly plan for him. Chennai Super Kings‘ batting coach Michael Hussey once gave some advice to captain MS Dhoni with respect to facing Khan but it didn’t work out well. After returning to the dugout, Dhoni was furious with Hussey.

IPL 2018 season was very emotional for CSK as they were making a comeback after a two-year ban. After a brilliant performance in the league stage, they were up against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 1 at the Wankhede Stadium. Chasing a 140-run target, the Super Kings were reduced to 24/3 at one stage.

Dhoni came at the No. 5 and was struggling in the middle. After scoring 9 (17), he tried to hit a cover drive off Khan’s bowling but he was bowled through the gate. Dhoni was angry after his shot selection. Hussey thought that Dhoni won’t say anything but he was wrong.

When MS Dhoni Lashed Out At Michael Hussey After Getting Out Against Rashid Khan

On the Lessons Learnt with the Greats Podcast, Hussey revealed that Dhoni came straight to him and said that he will bat in his own way in future matches. Although, after a lot of struggle, Chennai won the match by 2 wickets at the end. After the win, Dhoni was all cool with Hussey and acknowledged that the information provided to him was right.

“MS walks straight off the field, and I am sitting in the dugout and he walks straight up to me and says ‘I’ll bat my own way, thanks,’ and sits back down,” Hussey had said.

“As a coach, I thought my days are over forever! But, to MS’s credit, after the game, he was absolutely fantastic. He came up and spoke to me and we had a good chat.”

Chennai won the tournament that year by beating Hyderabad in the final. It is 2023 now and Hussey is still an integral part of the side’s coaching setup.

MS Dhoni vs Rashid Khan Head to Head record

In international cricket, Khan has dominated Dhoni. The former Indian captain has managed to score just 6 (18) and has been dismissed once as well.

Talking about the IPL, Dhoni has scored 24 (35) at a strike rate of 68.57 with the help of just a couple of boundaries. Khan has taken Dhoni’s wicket once. It is clear that Dhoni has mostly been clueless against the ace spinner so far.