'Mahi hit at least 7-8 balls out of Chinnaswamy'— Robin Uthappa shares a story on young MS Dhoni

Another fascinating story about MS Dhoni has emerged. Former India cricketer Robin Uthappa recalled a practice session when Dhoni was facing an energetic, injury-free Munaf Patel. It was the early version of Mahendra Singh Dhoni who loved to clear the ropes using raw muscle strength.

Uthappa mentioned that that was the pacer Munaf Patel, who used to bowl over 150 KMPH during his young age. During the later part of his career, because of multiple injuries, Patel lost his raw pace and could bowl around 130 KMPH. Cricket fans now can barely imagine how fast he used to be. Recalling the memories, Uthappa said that it was a practice session of India-A at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Then, Patel could deliver 155 to 160 case deliveries—an absolutely fiery pace. Uthappa compared Patel's delivery style with that of the legendary Jeff Thompson. Dhoni was against Patel in that practice session. As per Uthappa's claims, Patel was bowling constantly at a pace of 155+, and Dhoni was hitting the ball all round the park. 

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"India-A was having a practice session at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Munaf Patel, before his injury, was bowling at 155–160 kmph with a long run-up, almost a Jeff Thompson–style action, letting the ball rip," Robin Uthappa said. 

"Mahi was batting against him. For one and a half hours, he hit everything out of the stadium—at least 7–8 balls cleared Chinnaswamy completely. And remember, Munaf was bowling 155+, consistently."

Robin Uthappa shares a fascinating story about a young MS Dhoni

The sound between the bat and the ball is still echoing in the ears of Uthappa. He compared the sound with a bullet. 

"The sound when Dhoni hit the ball… it was something you’d never heard before. It felt like a bullet being shot off the bat. "Thakk—and the ball would slice through the air and disappear out of the ground," Uthappa added.