Dhoni is that the best finisher of all time: Hussey

Michael Hussey thinks MS Dhoni is that the greatest finisher of all time. Having shared a room with the previous India captain for seven years across two IPL stints, Hussey also believed Dhoni's instincts and mental toughness at his peak made opposition captains blink first struggling .

"In my mind, he's the simplest finisher of all time," Hussey told Sanjay Manjrekar in ESPNcricinfo's Videocast programme. "That is probably a touch controversial, because there are some great finishers over time, but he had the mental capability of knowing what the opposition would attempt to do, then stay cool and calm therein high situation. He'd be cooler than the opposition, he'd make the opposition captain blink first by bowling the higher bowler within the second-last over.

"The other thing he has that not many other finishers have is unbelievable power. He knows when he must clear the ropes, and he can roll in the hay . I did not have that sort of belief in myself. Dhoni….his mental capability, coolness and power, he knew he could find a six when he needed it and he did it so consistently. i feel his confidence grew in his methods, so in my mind he's the simplest ."

Hussey also gave an insight into Dhoni's mind and his philosophy of "taking it till the end" in run chases.

"I tried to not let the asking rate get to 12-13 an over," Hussey responded when asked about his approach to big chases. "I probably learnt off MS Dhoni. He was incredible. His big thing was, 'he who panicked last wins the game'. So he would keep his cool and keep it longer, because there's pressure on the bowler also .

"If you're call at the center and therefore the bowlers know someone like Dhoni or Michael Bevan's still there, then India, Australia or Chennai Super Kings still have an opportunity , because the pressure builds on the bowlers too. which is when the wides, no-balls and loose deliveries come, which you'll hit for a four. So if you'll keep your cool longer than the opposition, you'll begin on top."

Hussey, who has seen Dhoni evolve, both as an opponent and an in depth confidante at Super Kings, underlined his self-belief and therefore the ability to require emotions out of each situation as key to reveling struggling .

"One of his great ability is he won't combat defeat for too long," Hussey explained. "Yes, he'll be disappointed like everyone, but he will recover from quickly and appearance over to subsequent match, which may be a great trait to possess .

"Ricky Ponting was similar too, whether he was going well or going poorly. a uniform character, and not someone sort of a yo-yo, rising and down, riding emotions all the time. He'd be level the entire time, a trait you notice in great players."