2017 IPL, RPS had done the unthinkable. They had replaced MS Dhoni from captaincy, making Smith the new captain. Harsh Goenka seemed to harbour a deep seated hatred towards MS, without any particular reason. At first the new captain Smith is indifferent about MS, he neither disrespects him but neither does he defend him from management, he wasn't in the least acquainted with the prowess of the mind MS possessed and what dangerous weapon it could be in the field but he was soon to find out. But there one thing, he didn't like the owner, at all, he was meddling old idiot in his opinion.
Being sacked from captaincy was new thing from MS, but he wouldn't be MSD if he had let things affect him easily. He was very good at making piece with his mind. And Jinksy and Ash bieng in the franchise helped, no matter who the captain is they would always turn to their Mahi Bhai.
In second match Smith got out for really cheap, and back in the dressing room he was watching his batting footage again and again trying to know what went wrong.
MS was just passing by when his eyes fell on the video and mostly out of his natural habit for spotting things, he said "You know if you dont shift your weight abruptly like that, it might be better for your bat swing" It was just quite suggestion from one professional to another and walked off without waiting for a reply.
Smith stared incredulously at the man leaving, he had been watching the clip on repeat, he wasn't able to figure it out for half an hour and this guy just said it like a passing remark. That was the first time Smith started to understand the why the world raved about teh cricketing mind of MSD.
Next match, Russel was killing with the bat for KKR.
And whatever the bowlers did wasn't working
Suddenly MS called Smith, he suggested a certain field placement, Steve wasn't Vi whom MS would simply ask to put the fielding, he wasn't here to mentor Steve, he was merely trying to win a game.
Steve didn't understand how it might work, but his captain's instincts told him to listen.
So he did what he was told and lo and behold! it worked!
And he was more suprised because it 2 overs later when he finally understood why that placement worked...
Smith looked at MS in professional admiration. He had developed a kind of professional respect for the man or at least the man's mind.
The next day Goenka came to the team practice session even if no one had wvee called him.
And Mahi was helping a young bowler with his form.
And Smith didn't interfere because he had understood this man was a league if his own. He better be left to his own devices.
Jinks was in the nets in the further corner of the ground.
And Goenka straight away decided to have a go on Mahi,
"You should go and practice you know...you are not hitting the ball well...and look at Smith..." Goenka started.
And Smith was within earshot, Australian might be the worst sledgers on field but they knew professionalism in a team. And right now someone was insulting a co player of his team. So he did what he thought was right. Also as mentioned before, he didn't like the man, Goenka either, and here was interrupting a practice session.
"I am sorry Mr. Goenka, but you cannot speak to a player like that." Smith said "And why are you interrupting practice? This not at all my way of working."
" I was just asking him to..." Goenka started.
"I am the captain, I will see to the necessary things," Smith interrupted him "please I am asking you, leave sir"
