Yash Thakur, the India pacer currently with Punjab Kings, has opened up about the guidance he received from star batter Virat Kohli during a challenging period in his IPL career. Thakur joined Punjab Kings in 2025 after previously playing for Lucknow Super Giants. In the 2023 and 2024 IPL seasons, he participated in 19 matches for LSG, taking 24 wickets. However, at Punjab Kings, his playing time has been limited, appearing in only three matches so far due to the competition from established bowlers like Arshdeep Singh, Marco Jansen, and Xavier Bartlett.
So he advised me not to think too much about the future. This method continues to help me. His advice was to not overthink, and just let things sink in so that I could relax.
The 27-year-old also revealed that Chennai Super Kings icon and former India captain MS Dhoni offered him valuable guidance when he was struggling with nerves during the IPL.
“I told him I was frustrated as I wasn’t getting to play regularly. He said it was just as important to feel grateful for whatever opportunities I have got so far, and that my preparation must improve day by day – so whenever I would get a chance to play, I shouldn’t feel I’m not ready. So I started working on [my preparation],” Thakur said on ESPNCricinfo . “I told him (Dhoni) I felt nervous and under pressure, given I had never played in front of such huge crowds. So he told me I would keep feeling that way even in the future – whether at the IPL or whenever I play for India. The moment I feel any pressure, I take my time to settle,” he said.
