Dhoni has been instrumental in Steve Smith’s success as RPS captain: Ben Stokes

Pune: Ben Stokes may be the most expensive foreign player in the Indian Premier League (IPL), but the England all-rounder was all praises for former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, after his side Rising Pune Supergiant’s resounding nine-wicket victory over Kings XI Punjab, on Sunday.

Not only did this win help RPS qualify for the knockout stage of the tournament, but it also propelled them to the second spot on the IPL table, which means that they will get two chances to qualify for the IPL final, as they square-off against table toppers Mumbai Indians, at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, on Tuesday.

Although Stokes has already played a lot of international cricket, the Englishman believes that he has learnt a lot from playing in the IPL, as he got to share dressing rooms with some of the biggest cricketers from around the world.

“The thing about international cricket is that you never really get to know the guys you play against,” Stokes said to The Telegraph. “The T20 leagues allow you to actually know an individual… I’ve been fortunate to share the dressing room with MS and Steve and the likes of Faf du Plessis as well.”

Stokes also revealed a side of RPS’ iconic wicketkeeper-batsman Dhoni, saying that the former India captain always keeps an ear (and his door) open, if anybody wants to talk to him.

“In the hotel, MS keeps his door open and anybody can go in. He’s been very accommodating,” said Stokes.

“On the field, MS epitomises calmness and, from a cricket point of view, has the best angle in terms of field placements,” he continued.

RPS though, have been unsuccessful, last season, under the captainship of Dhoni, who was replaced from the role by Australia skipper Steve Smith, before the start of the 2017 season.

Smith’s leadership seems to have turned RPS’ fortunes around, as the they look forward to the knockout stages of the competition. However, Stokes believes that MS Dhoni has been instrumental behind Smith’s leadership.

“Obviously, Steve’s the captain, but he’s aware that MS has the best angle and, so, has worked with him in setting fields. Indeed, Steve and MS have worked really well together,” he said.