MS Dhoni is revered for his calm and composed demeanor on the cricket field, earning him the nickname “Captain Cool.” Despite his calm exterior, Dhoni’s competitive spirit and hunger for success have led to moments where he lost his cool. These outbursts, although rare, remind us that even the calmest personalities can have their breaking points.
Dhoni’s unseen fiery side
While MS Dhoni’s reputation for staying cool under pressure has been a defining feature of his career, there are a few moments where his competitive spirit took over, leading to intense reactions on the field. These moments, though uncommon, are legendary.
One such incident that caught everyone’s attention was when Dhoni got physical with Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Rahman during a match. The fast bowler stepped into Dhoni’s running path, and in a rare moment of fury, Dhoni shoved him out of the way. The incident showcased Dhoni’s intense side, proving that even he has his boiling points.
Another famous moment occurred in an ODI against Australia in 2009. Australian pacer Mitchell Johnson shoved Dhoni during the match, provoking an unusually animated reaction from the Indian skipper.
Mohit Sharma’s experience
One player who has experienced Dhoni’s fury is IPL veteran Mohit Sharma. Having played under Dhoni’s captaincy at Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Mohit shared his experience during the ‘2 Sloggers’ podcast. Despite being a successful bowler for CSK, Mohit admitted to receiving “a lot of abuses” from Dhoni during his time with the team.
“We’ve got a lot of abuses from him. But he always says, what happens on the field, stays there. Later, he will make you understand but never be angry with you. I have heard a lot from him. Being a fast bowler, you tend to lose focus. Pay attention to what’s happening behind you. If he waves at you and you are facing towards some other end. If someone from the public says something and you react. Because of things like this, I’ve copped a lot of flak from him,” said Mohit on the ‘2 Sloggers’ podcast.
With Mohit Sharma no longer a regular in the CSK lineup, it seems that Deepak Chahar has taken over as the primary recipient of Dhoni’s scoldings. Chahar, a talented bowler for CSK, has often been spotted on camera receiving playful hits and intense instructions from Dhoni. These moments, while seemingly harsh, are also a sign of the close bond the two share.
A memorable incident involving Dhoni and Chahar occurred during IPL 2019. Deepak Chahar bowled a knuckleball, which Dhoni had advised him not to bowl again. However, Chahar ignored the advice, and the delivery was hit for a boundary.
“Deepak Chahar has also received a lot of abuses. He too has a story. In 2019, Deepak was playing, and I was not. The game was in Chennai, and everyone was sweating profusely. He bowled a knuckle ball that I think was a full toss or something, which was hit for either a four or a six. Dhoni bhai told him not to bowl it again. He said, ‘ok Mahi bhai’. After bowling the next 2-3 ball, he bowled the knuckle ball again which this time went over the head of the batter,” Mohit recalled.
“Mahi bhai came up to him, kept his arms around Deepak’s shoulder, said a few things to him and went back. We obviously didn’t know. So when the match got over, we asked what happened? He said, ‘You know what he said? He said a few wonderful things (likely abuses), and then he added ‘Bewakoof tu nahi hai, bewakoof main hu (You’re not the fool, I am). So that is a tale we always remember. Now it’s Deepak’s turn and he will be part of that queue. At the same time, Dhoni bhai loves Chahar equally,” Mohit pointed out.
These fiery moments are not just signs of frustration; they’re a testament to Dhoni’s deep understanding of the game and his desire to push his team to perform at its best. Dhoni knows when to let his emotions show, but he also knows when to calm down and guide his players through difficult situations.
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