How Dhoni's input is helping Pune captain Smith

'He being the wicketkeeper has the best possible position to guide the players, not only he helps Smith but other players too with their positions.'

Rising Pune Supergiant batsman Manoj Tiwary says Mahendra Singh Dhoni's valuable inputs to captain Steven Smith has helped the team perform well in the ongoing tenth edition of the Indian Premier League.

Tiwary, speaking on the eve of their match against Delhi Daredevils, spoke highly of Dhoni.

Australia's Smith had replaced Dhoni as captain before the start of the tournament.

"There is no need for me to say anything really. We have all seen that on television (how Dhoni is helping Smith and team)," said Tiwary in New Delhi on Thursday.

"Mahi bhai has been helping Smith really well. He being the wicketkeeper has the best possible position to guide the players, not only he helps Smith but other players too with their positions. He manoeuvres the fielders well."

Since the skipper has too much on his plate, inputs from the wicketkeeper becomes priceless, claimed Tiwary.

"Smith is also under a lot of pressure on the field. That way he (Dhoni) has been very co-operative. Smith doesn't talk too much off the field but he is aggressive on the field. If he has to convey a message, it is pretty loud and clear."

Pune have won seven of their last eight games and need a win against Delhi to seal their place in the play-offs.

"We know we will qualify if we win. But we are not looking at this game. The good thing is every player is peaking at the right time."

He expects the home team to give them a tough fight.

"Delhi has won the last game. They will be coming hard at us. They have chased more than 200 here. Having said that, we are not going to make any special changes. There is no need as the team has doing well," said Tiwary.

On the personal front, Tiwary said he is satisfied with his batting this season but it has not been his best effort.

"My best came with the KKR when we won the title and I scored more than 350 runs.

"This season I had a plan. I wanted to bat with a higher strike rate no matter what the situation is," he added.