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Follow UsMukesh Choudhary (Image Credit: Twitter)
Uncapped Indian left-arm pacer Mukesh Choudhary played for the first time in the Indian T20 League this year. He was signed by four-time winners, Chennai during the auction. Choudhary had a poor start to his cash-rich league career as he was getting hammered in the first few games. However, he ended with 16 wickets in 13 games and became a rising star from a team that finished ninth.
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Meanwhile, recalling his pre-tournament days, the left-arm pacer revealed that he never thought he would play for the Yellow brigade. He also revealed MS Dhoni tapped on his shoulder during bus travel and explained how he felt at the time.
I never thought I would play for Chennai - Mukesh Choudhary
"I never thought I would play for Chennai Super Kings. When I was on the team bus (for the first time), Dhoni tapped me on the shoulder and I was like, 'Oh this is happening with me' and I felt very proud," said Choudhary on the official website of the Chennai franchise.
The Bhilwara-born added that he used to talk to Dhoni when he wasn't doing well in the first few games. The pacer revealed that the former India skipper had asked him to believe in his abilities. The Maharashtra player also spoke about his friendship with the statement teammate, Ruturaj Gaikwad. The former said that Gaikwad gave him enough support and confidence.
"In my first two matches, I couldn't perform to my potential. So, I used to talk to him (Dhoni) every day and also in between matches. Dhoni told me to believe in my abilities. Rutu (Ruturaj) is my friend... so he was always there with me, he supported me and gave me the confidence saying, 'You have everything, you just have to believe in yourself because for every player it happens, where they go through this phase.' After the Mumbai (Indians) game, I gained confidence and continued to bowl with that confidence," added Choudhary.
Choudhary has been selected for the Queensland Bulls' pre-season preparations in Brisbane as a part of an exchange programme with the Chennai-based MRF Pace Foundation.