
Harbhajan Singh Asked MS Dhoni About IPL Preparation At 43, Left Stunned By His Fitness
NDTV
Harbhajan Singh was stumped to hear what MS Dhoni had to say when asked about his preparations for the IPL 2025 season.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) remains the only tournament where cricket fans still have the option of seeing MS Dhoni in action. The Chennai Super Kings legend arrives into the 2025 season after undergoing a rigorous training regime. With IPL being the only professional cricketing event that Dhoni is involved in, maintaining fitness, especially at the age of 43, becomes quite a tricky task. However, when former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh met Dhoni at a wedding recently, he was stunned to see how fit the CSK stalwart looked.
Harbhajan admitted that Dhoni's fitness left him quite intrigued, which prompted him to ask questions about the veteran wicket-keeper batter's preparations for the IPL.
"I just met him recently at one of our friend's daughter's weddings. He looked very fit, solid. I asked him, 'What you are doing at this age, isn't it tough?' He said, 'Yes, it's difficult, but this is the only thing I like doing. I find joy in it. I want to do it, go out and play.' As long as the hunger is there, you will be able to do it. It's hard without playing any cricket (throughout the year). He is showing how it's done. He must be doing something better than the others. He is not just surviving, he is dominating all the bowlers," Harbhajan told ESPNcricinfo.
Harbhajan shared insights into Dhoni's practice sessions for the IPL, saying 'Thala' has been batting in the nets for 2-3 hours every single day in Chennai since joining the camp.
"The practice that he is doing for one-two months The more balls you play, you get that timing, flow, and sixes going. He bats 2-3 hours every day in Chennai. He is the first one to come to the ground and the last one to leave, even at this age. That's the difference," he added.