Former India cricketer Robin Uthappa feels MS Dhoni is the most uncomplicated person in the world. He expressed that the former Team India skipper’s simplicity hasn’t changed over the years. Robin Uthappa has seen MS Dhoni since the start of his career and has played with him for Team India as well in the Indian Premier League for the Chennai Super Kings.
Speaking during Jio Cinema’s special feature, ‘My Time With Dhoni ft. Uthappa’, Robin Uthappa recalled his experience of playing with MS Dhoni over the years. He expressed that the former Indian skipper doesn’t hesitate to speak the truth, even it if hurts the player. Uthappa said,
“His simplicity is something that’s always been there and it’s something that hasn’t changed. He’s just as simple today as he was the first time I met him. Dhoni is the most uncomplicated person in the world.”
“MS is a very open person. He does not hesitate in speaking the truth, even if it hurts you. I remember when I was signed by CSK in the auction, he called me and said, ‘I am not sure if you’ll get a chance to play because the season is still far away and I haven’t given it any thought. If you do end up playing, I will let you know.’ By now, I had enjoyed 13 successful years in the IPL. Still, he told me to my face what he had to do. I still appreciate that a lot,” he added.
Robin Uthappa recalls meeting MS Dhoni for the first time
Robin Uthappa further recalled his first impression of MS Dhoni, during a Team India camp at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore in 2003. He revealed that the right-handed batter injured S Sriram, who was bowling to him during the net session. Dhoni’s batting impressed Uthappa, who termed him a “special batter.” Robin Uthappa said,
“The first time I saw MS was in 2003 at an India camp at NCA Bangalore. He was batting against Munaf Patel back when he used to bowl really fast with the sling action. Other fast bowlers were also bowling. MS was batting and hitting long sixes off them. He actually ended up injuring S Sriram. Sriram was bowling to him and Dhoni stepped out and hit the ball extremely hard. Sriram touched it with his hand and the ball went 10-20 yards back.”
“We thought Sriram was running after the ball, but he ran past it and straight into the dressing room because he broke two fingers. We wanted to see how much power MS has and it was explosive. At that moment, I knew he was going to play for India. He’s a special batsman,” he added.
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