Rahmanullah Gurbaz, the promising Afghanistan wicketkeeper-batter, finds eternal inspiration in MS Dhoni, whom he considers his ultimate idol.
Recalling their encounter during the 2022 IPL, Gurbaz shared, “The first time I met MS, that was the time when I was with Gujarat Titans. I was not able to talk to him because I was under so much pressure. But the way he treated me, the way he talked to me, he gave me a lot of confidence.”
Their encounter during the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL) proved to be a pivotal moment in Gurbaz’s cricketing journey, with Dhoni’s words of wisdom serving as a source of inspiration and confidence.
During IPL 2023, Gurbaz then showcased his prowess with Kolkata Knight Riders, amassing 227 runs in 11 matches, at an average of 20.64 and a strike rate of 133.53. Currently, with Jaffna Kings in LPL 2023, he continues to impress.
Seeking guidance from Dhoni, Gurbaz said, “This year when I met him, I talked to him about cricket, lifestyle, etc. I asked him, how can I improve my lifestyle? How can I keep improving my cricket? He had a word with me, and even now, I have all the things written in my notebook. I noted down everything, which helped me a lot and will also help me in the future. So, yeah, he will be my idol, forever.”
Beyond the IPL, Rahmanullah Gurbaz has continued to shine in the cricketing arena. Recently, in the Zim Afro T10, representing Cape Town Samp Army, he dazzled spectators with his powerful hitting prowess, emerging as the tournament’s leading run-scorer with an impressive tally of 282 runs in nine matches, including two remarkable half-centuries.