Exclusive: How MS Dhoni Pulls Off 0.12-Second Stumpings at 43

Mahendra Singh Dhoni will turn 44 this July. He retired from international cricket five years ago and only plays in the Indian Premier League for Chennai Super Kings. 

He is in action for only three months a year — from pre-tournament training to two months of the competition. Still, his fitness, reflexes, and even six-per-ball record match those of active international cricketers.

On Sunday, playing in his first IPL match of the season against Mumbai Indians at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, the seasoned Dhoni pulled off a stumping in 0.12 seconds off Afghanistan wrist spinner Noor Ahmad — a bowler he kept to for the first time — to dismiss Suryakumar Yadav.

Practising four to five hours daily

What is the secret to his longevity? Chanchal Bhattacharya, one of Dhoni's early coaches in Ranchi, felt it was part fitness and rest, muscle memory, that allows the cricketer to stun the cricketing world every IPL season. 

"It is his fitness that helps him. Wicketkeeping is an art. You have to react in a split second. And that can only happen when you are fit, as the hands need to move at lightning speed. He still practises for four to five hours daily, even after retirement," Bhattacharya told Sportsboom.com. 

Dhoni, however, is aware of his limitations at 43. He bats at No. 8 and likes to face only a few balls but ensures to hit most of them out of the park. He faced 130 balls in the last two editions of the league, smashing 23 sixes and 17 fours. 

"He has maintained his eyesight, which is powering his batting and keeping both. The muscle memory also kicks in when you are playing a match."

The man, under whose captaincy India won the T20 World Cup, ODI World Cup and the Champions Trophy, likes to maintain the lifestyle of an international cricketer. 

"He goes out to train at 5.30 am and returns by 7.30 am. Sometimes, Mahi would go at 2 pm and return by 4.30 pm. When the ground gets crowded, he is at home resting. People think he is not training at all (laughs)."

A combination of mind and body

Ramji Srinivasan, a renowned strength and conditioning coach in India who worked with Dhoni in his best years when he was the captain of India, lauded the mental strength of the wicketkeeper-batter. 

"His quicksilver thinking is stunning, and apart from that, his reflexes are that of a Formula One driver."

Srinivasan, who was part of the Indian cricket team that won the ODI World Cup under Dhoni in 2011, also praised his peripheral vision. 

"Not only reflexes but his peripheral awareness and decision-making ability is like a ninja on a mission," added Srinivasan, who has also trained CSK players in the past during Dhoni's leadership years.

In his prime, Dhoni did unbelievable things such as standing up to the stumps to left-arm pacer Irfan Pathan. He had also stumped Ricky Ponting in one of the matches off Pathan's bowling.

Dhoni has been IPL's best wicketkeeper with 191 dismissals — 43 stumpings and 148 catches.