Devon Conway Praises MS Dhoni and Stephen Fleming’s Impact on His IPL Journey

In a fascinating revelation, Devon Conway, the standout star for CSK in IPL 2023, has shared his deep admiration for the camaraderie he developed with his Chennai Super Kings teammates, particularly the legendary MS Dhoni and the astute coach Stephen Fleming. 

The harmony between Dhoni and Fleming

Conway shed light on the contrasting yet harmonious dynamics between Fleming and Dhoni, recognizing their pivotal roles in the team’s resounding success. He lauded Fleming’s streamlined approach to team meetings, emphasizing their brevity, as the coach acknowledged the wealth of experience within the squad. 

“It’s a great combination. Flem’s learnt to cut team meetings down to the very bare minimum. I don’t think there’s often a team meeting that goes longer than three-four minutes, which is great. Not that there’s a lot to say. Flem understands there’s a lot of experience in the group, guys know what they need to do to win. That gives us players a sense of trust that he’ll allow us to go out and express ourselves and the results will take care of itself,” he said in an interview with ESPNcricinfo.

CSK’s senior players 

Furthermore, Conway highlighted the unique combination of Dhoni’s relaxed demeanor during meetings and Fleming’s trust in the players to execute their roles effectively, creating a highly beneficial environment for the team to thrive in. 

Speaking specifically about his rapport with MS Dhoni, Conway expressed his gratitude for the invaluable time spent with the former Indian captain. The quartet of Conway, Moeen Ali, Ajinkya Rahane, and Dhoni frequently congregated in the team room, engrossed in engaging discussions about IPL matches, team strategies, and life beyond the cricketing realm. 

“I’ve been lucky to spend quite a lot of time with him. Moeen, MS, [Ajinkya] Rahane and I spent a lot of time in the team room watching a lot of IPL games, talking about different teams and strategies, and in general, life beyond cricket. The relationship I have with MS is cool; he gives me a lot of banter and chirp, quirky one-liners. Now I’ve started to give it back to him.”, Conway further added. 

Conway’s respect for Dhoni 

Conway expressed immense respect for Dhoni’s stature in cricket, highlighting the aura that surrounds him whenever he enters a room. The opportunity to engage with Dhoni on a personal level allowed Conway to seek guidance and insights from the iconic figure, while their late-night and early-morning snooker sessions added an element of camaraderie to their bond. 

Furthermore, Conway humorously recounted the challenges faced during wicketkeeping practice sessions with Dhoni, where the maestro’s natural ability made it difficult for him to explain the intricacies of his craft. 

“He’s learnt his craft over so many years and I guess it’s hard for him to explain how he does things because it’s so natural. The sessions were funny. He gives me a lot of banter and chirp, quirky one-liners. What was actually simple for him was so complicated for me since I’m still just part-time. He’s on a different wavelength to how I am when I work on my wicketkeeping. It was all the more incredible because he doesn’t keep at training.”, Conway added during his interview. 

Devon Conway’s stint with the Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2023 not only showcased his exceptional performances on the field but also highlighted the invaluable bonds he forged with MS Dhoni and Stephen Fleming. These connections provided him with profound insights, both within and beyond the cricketing realm, ultimately contributing to the team’s triumphant campaign. 

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