'My good results have come under MS Dhoni, big credit goes to him': GT pacer lauds MSD's influence

Mohit Sharma has been through a lot of turmoil on both professional and personal fronts. 34-year-old Haryana cricketer was smashed for 84 runs in just seven overs by top South African batters in fifth ODI at Wankhede on October 25, 2015, and virtually went off radar after last of his 34 appearances for India.

On Thursday, Mohit was back at what he does best, tormenting batter and returning figures of 2 for 18 in his four overs as Punjab Kings were restricted to 153 and Gujarat Titans won IPL thriller by six wickets with just one ball left.

Mohit was only 27 in 2015 and had a very impressive ODI World Cup, earlier that year, under Mahendra Singh Dhoni's captaincy. His bowling in Australia had prompted former Pakistani pacer Aaqib Javed to praise his "heavy ball", which was a deceptive bouncer that came at a higher speed than expected.

ALSO READ | RCB Vs DC IPL Live Score, Today Match Latest Updates

glory days behind him, Mohit's form dropped alarmingly during next three seasons of IPL before he was out of collective consciousness of an aver Indian cricket fan.

What followed was most difficult phase of his life. He found himself away from ground for months after a surgery in 2019 and n loss of his far due to cancer following year left him shattered. Mohit tried to pick up pieces and got back to playing limited-overs cricket for Haryana but it wasn't until last year that he got opportunity he was looking for.

He travelled with eventual champions Gujarat Titans as a net bowler last season before finally making his debut for team on Thursday. 34-year-old Mohit made most of opportunity with a player of match against Punjab Kings. He a made a name for himself at CSK under Dhoni's guidance but he has hesitation in saying that time with Titans has been most enjoyable in his long IPL career.

"Majority of my IPL and India career has been under Mahi bhai. My good results have come under him, big credit goes to him for getting best out of me. But what matters more for me is how much you are enjoying game. 2013-2016 was golden period in my career but in terms of environment it is best I have experienced in IPL," Mohit told PTI during an exclusive interview.

He is t only one who raves about atmosphere of Hardik Pandya-led side which won IPL on debut.

Mohit had replaced Yash Dayal for his first IPL game in three years after latter had gone for five consecutive sixes in previous game. However, he insisted team has a " replacement" policy.

ALSO READ | IPL Points Table 2023, Orange Cap, Purple Cap Standings: SRH climb to seventh spot

'body replaces anyone in this team'

"body replaces anyone in this team. Yash could have played but he had fever that is why he could t play. If I played, it was due to circumstances. I spoken to him at length post match also. He was sitting with me after game," Mohit said. " whole credit goes to manment for creating this environment on and off field. It is most important thing for a franchise," he added.

Tough times don't last, tough men do

Looking back at time away from game, Mohit said t being able to even step on ground was tough. "It is tough to carry on when you can't see things going your way. period post surgery was frustrating, rehab was toughest part as it can be boring. Yes if you are t selected you are disappointed but we play game because we love it. only boring bit for me was t that I was t able to step on ground.

"When I got fit, n COVID happened so I hardly got to play," he recalled.

pillar of support during those tough times was his family and former BCCI treasurer Anirudh Chaudhry. death of his far also changed his outlook towards life.

"Loss of a family member teaches you a lot and I had t experienced that before. It has taught me to focus on my well-being and t worry about pleasing ors which we tend to do in this field.

"Thoda deep ho gaya (I got philosophical). I just try to be a better human being, that is most important thing. At end of day, we all have an expiry date," said Mohit.

'Prepared to bowl with new ball as well'

Mohit was spot on with slow bouncers and off cutters on Thursday after being brought into attack in middle overs. With Mohammad Shami, Joshua Little and Alazarri Joseph being preferred new ball options, Mohit might have to continue bowling in later sts of innings.

"We start preparing for our role in match two three net sessions in advance. At moment we have a lot of new ball options but I have been bowling with new ball in nets and ready for that challenge as well." Mohit is among veteran players in IPL who are rolling back years with ir performances. ors being former India players Piyush Chawla, Amit Mishra and Karn Sharma, who are all well past ir prime.

"re is factor in IPL. Every year, you see something new in this league. It is just a coincidence that players who have done well in past and t done well recently are performing right w.

"All players have ir strengths. How you use m is key. I have t developed anything new. It is all about assessing conditions and deciding what variations to use against a particular batter."

'Shami and I are like brors'

He also spoke about his relationship with India's premier bowler and Titans teammate Shami.

"Shami and I are like brors. We have been playing toger since we were 13-14. Played for India around same time. Even when we are t playing toger, we try to meet each or. We are attached personally t just professionally and that bonding is visible on field," he added.