I've learnt to be calm in pressure situations from MS Dhoni: Simarjeet Singh

Chennai Super Kings' right-arm pace bowler Simarjeet Singh has said he felt extremely nervous playing his first game in a highly-competitive environment like the Indian Premier League (IPL) this season, and added that seniors like Mahendra Singh Dhoni have played a big role in preparing the newcomers for "high-pressure situations". The 24-year-old Simarjeet made his IPL debut this season for CSK, taking four wickets in the six matches he played with a best of 2/27 and an economy of 7.67, which makes him one to look out for in the upcoming seasons. The tall, skiddy pace bowler, who was a net bowler with the Delhi Capitals and bought by CSK for his base price of Rs 20 lakhs at the mega auction, added that being in the playing XI is something one cannot comprehend sitting on the bench, with the pressure quotient going up several notches.

"Overall it's Mahi bhai. I learnt how to be calm in pressure situations from Mahi (Dhoni) bhai. Watching him on the television is a different thing as one does not know what happens after we finish an over.

In reality he always keeps guiding me and pushes me to do better. Mahi bhai told me I bowled well. I can keep listening to his words forever," Simarjeet told CSK TV.

The skiddy pacer also revealed that he was quite nervous before his maiden outing against Sunrisers Hyderabad. "I was telling everyone that I was not nervous in the first game against SRH. But in reality, I was extremely nervous during that game.

When I entered the stadium for the first time, it felt super different with the crowds being back in the stands. There's a lot of difference between sitting on the bench and being a part of the playing eleven. From the outside, I didn't feel the pressure as such.