From clever field placements to split-second decisions, MS Dhoni’s tactical genius kept Kieron Pollard on edge across IPL finals and beyond
MS Dhoni never needed a crystal ball. He could see the game unfolding before it even happened. While others watched the ball, he read the mind. Whether in the heat of an IPL final or during a mid-season cruncher, Dhoni had a knack for devising tactics that made jaws drop and batters second-guess themselves.
Cool on the surface but calculating within, the former India captain didn’t just rely on brute force or flamboyant flair — he played cricket like a grandmaster, always three moves ahead.
Perhaps no better example of his foresight exists than his repeated outwitting of one of the most destructive batters in IPL history — Kieron Pollard. What began as a clever move in the 2010 final turned into a playbook lesson he would draw upon time and again.
The DY Patil Stadium, 2010 — a buzzing cauldron of cricket fever. Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians were locked in a tense battle for the first-ever IPL crown. Mumbai was chasing 169, and the match seemed to be slipping away from them with each ball. Enter MS Dhoni, captain of CSK, quietly orchestrating his moves like a master tactician.
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Kieron Pollard, renowned for his power-hitting, was one of the main threats in the Mumbai line-up. With Mumbai needing 28 runs off just 8 balls, Pollard and Ambati Rayudu appeared set to pull off an improbable victory. But Dhoni wasn’t having it. He called for a strategic shift, placing Matthew Hayden — a straight mid-off fielder — precisely where Pollard’s powerful shots were likely to land.
The plan worked like a charm. Pollard launched a fuller delivery from Albie Morkel straight to Hayden, who took an excellent catch at the edge of the circle. Mumbai fell short by 22 runs, and Dhoni’s field-setting was celebrated as the turning point.
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Fast forward seven years, and the scene was set once more — this time, Dhoni wasn’t leading CSK but was playing for Rising Pune Supergiants under Steve Smith’s captaincy. The Mumbai Indians faced off against Pune in the final, with Pollard again poised to unleash his firepower.
Pollard appeared unstoppable after dispatching Adam Zampa for a six on the first ball he faced. However, Dhoni’s sharp cricket brain was at work once more. He suggested positioning a straight mid-off fielder — this time, Manoj Tiwary — to cut off Pollard’s preferred consecutive hits.
The ploy paid off once again. Pollard lofted a flighted delivery, only to be caught in front of the sightscreen. Pune secured a crucial wicket, underlining Dhoni’s knack for reading a batter’s mind and setting the trap accordingly.
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Even as Dhoni turned 41, his tactical acumen showed no signs of fading. During the IPL 2022 clash between CSK and MI at the DY Patil Stadium, Dhoni revived his renowned straight-hit fielder tactic. This time, it was Shivam Dube positioned straight down the ground for Maheesh Theekshana’s bowling.
Pollard, who had scored 14 runs, fell for a slower, shorter delivery. He lofted it directly to Dube, who held onto the catch at the boundary. Once again, Dhoni’s field placements shifted the game at a crucial moment, enabling CSK to tighten their grip and ultimately win the match.
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Dhoni’s strategy didn’t remain a secret for long. Other teams quickly took note and replicated the straight fielder ploy to counter Pollard. During IPL 2021, Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Manish Pandey positioned Jason Roy straight down the ground against Pollard. The tactic proved effective; Pollard was dismissed for 13, outplayed by the field placement.
The tactic even appeared on the international stage. In the 2021 T20 World Cup group match, South Africa employed a similar field against Pollard, with Rassie van der Dussen taking a crucial catch at straight mid-off to dismiss the big hitter.
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