‘No one is there to watch you bat or bowl…’ – Jimmy Neesham’s epic reply on fans going crazy over MS Dhoni’s presence at Ranchi stadium

The Ranchi crowd was roaring when they saw their own MS Dhoni on the big screen during the first T20I between New Zealand and India on Friday.

During the New Zealand innings, the cameras briefly focused on MS Dhoni, who was there to see the series opener with his wife Sakshi. This was enough to enrage the Ranchi crowd. With a short wave of his hand, Dhoni thanked the audience before turning up the volume a bit.

On a post-match show on Star Sports, New Zealand all-rounder Jimmy Neesham was questioned about the passionate fan support Dhoni had despite having retired from international cricket a few years prior. A remarkable response was provided by the right-arm seamer.

Everyone is there to watch someone else: Jimmy Neesham

“It’s a great feeling actually. You sort of feel, you can fly under the radar. No one is really there to watch you bat or bowl. Everyone is there to watch someone else. I always quite enjoyed it, to be honest, coming to India knowing that the pressure will be on someone else,” said Neesham, who recently declined the central contract with New Zealand Cricket in order to uphold his franchise obligations.

However, the Hardik Pandya-led Men in Blue was unable to give Dhoni a victory on his home ground as New Zealand easily won by 21 runs to take a 1-0 series lead in the three-match T20I series.

After being given the opportunity to bat first, the Kiwis posted 176-6 after opener Devon Conway’s 52 off 35 balls and Daryl Mitchell’s unbeaten 59.

New Zealand held the hosts to 155-9 despite losing the one-day international series 3-0. Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner, the team’s captain, shone out with figures of 2-11, while speedster Lockie Ferguson and spinner Michael Bracewell also claimed two wickets.