Brendon McCullum

Bangalore: “MS is a strong leader, remarkable in many ways... I have great admiration for him...”

A bada compliment from New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum, who has been playing under Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) colours.

The franchise bought McCullum at the auction this year, ahead of IPL VII.

Speaking to The Telegraph at the ITC Gardenia, on Tuesday evening, McCullum continued: “MS is an incredible achiever and an equally incredible person...

“It’s amazing the manner in which MS has handled the expectations of millions, both as the India and the CSK captain...

“There’s heaps to learn from MS, but I won’t divulge everything.”

McCullum praised Dhoni, the batsman, as well. “If you’re chasing, then at the end, you wouldn’t want anybody except MS at the wicket. He leads from the front.”

One of the heroes of CSK’s superb win over the Dolphins, on Monday, McCullum pointed out that the franchise’s “formidable” line-up gave him the freedom to explode.

“Look, CSK’s stacked with talent and the formidable batting line-up allows me the freedom to be explosive. I know that if I get out, there’s Dwayne Smith at the other end with (Suresh) Raina and the rest to follow...

“Faf du Plessis, MS, Dwayne Bravo, Ravindra Jadeja... It’s an awesome line-up...

“Obviously, the match against the Dolphins was one where you didn’t wish to be a bowler. We scored 242 for six, but the opposition got 188, probably the par total...

“Now, we’ll have to be careful in our planning vis-a-vis the par score in Bangalore. Moreover, our bowlers will have to be calm if there’s a day when things don’t go CSK’s way,” McCullum maintained.

Asked if he and Smith were competing against each other, McCullum replied laughing: “Oh, no... Rather, we complement each other... Try to hit sixes in different areas of the park.”

On turning out for CSK, McCullum said: “I enjoy the culture of the franchise and the owners have actually created a family-like atmosphere...

“Of course, I had a great time with the Kolkata Knight Riders, too, and won’t forget the thrill of playing in front of thousands at Eden Gardens...

“The nature of professional sport is such that you may not necessarily be with the same team or franchise forever. That has to be accepted.”

McCullum has had two innings with the Knights and spent a season with the Kochi Tuskers Kerala as well. The latter franchise didn’t have a second season.