MS Dhoni’s leadership style, characterized by a blend of humor and strategic acumen, was evident throughout the 2019 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) pacer Mohit Sharma shared an anecdote on the “2 Sloggers” podcast that highlights Dhoni’s ability to guide his players with a touch of lightheartedness.
During an IPL match in Chennai, Deepak Chahar, another CSK bowler, bowled a knuckle ball that was dispatched for a boundary. Dhoni, observing Chahar’s struggles, advised him to refrain from using the knuckle ball. Chahar acknowledged the advice, but a few deliveries later, he bowled the same knuckle ball again, which sailed over the batter’s head.
“Deepak Chahar has also received a lot of sticks (from Dhoni). 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 recounted on the podcast.
Dhoni, with his trademark wit, responded to the delivery by telling Chahar, “Bewakoof tu nahi, mai hu” (You’re not the fool, I am). This outburst was a mix of lightheartedness and mild frustration from the five-time IPL-winning skipper.
Despite the occasional teasing, Dhoni’s trust in Chahar was evident in the 22 wickets he took that season. Dhoni often entrusted Chahar with bowling all four of his overs upfront, a testament to his belief in the young bowler’s abilities.
With Dhoni’s potential retirement from the IPL looming, there have been calls from his former teammates, including Suresh Raina, for him to play one more season and mentor Ruturaj Gaikwad in captaincy. Dhoni handed over the captaincy to Gaikwad ahead of IPL 2024.
Although troubled by a knee injury, Dhoni’s impressive cameos in IPL 2024, where he scored 161 runs at a staggering strike rate of 220.55, hinted that he may have more cricket left in him.
