Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the enigmatic former Indian cricket captain, holds a special bond with the city of Chennai. As the former skipper of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Dhoni has led the team to five Indian Premier League (IPL) titles, cementing his status as the city’s most beloved son.
Former CSK teammate Mohit Sharma has shared some intriguing anecdotes about Dhoni’s fiery nature and his unique approach to player management. “He gets angry and we’ve heard a lot of abuses from him,” Sharma revealed on the ‘2 Sloggers’ podcast. “But he always says, what happens on the field, stays there. Later, he will make you understand but never be angry with you.”
Sharma recalled an incident involving Deepak Chahar, who also faced Dhoni’s wrath. “In 2019, Deepak was playing and I wasn’t. The game was in Chennai, and everyone was sweating profusely. He bowled a knuckle ball that was hit for a boundary. Dhoni bhai told him not to bowl it again. He said, ‘ok Mahi bhai’. After bowling the next 2-3 balls, he bowled the knuckle ball again.”
“Mahi bhai came up to him, kept his arms around Deepak’s shoulder, said a few things to him, and went back. We didn’t know what happened. 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.”
Despite his fiery temper, Dhoni is known for his love and support for his players. “Dhoni bhai loves Chahar equally,” Sharma emphasized.
As the IPL 2025 season approaches, there is still uncertainty surrounding Dhoni’s participation. However, his legacy as a legendary captain and a beloved figure in Chennai remains unchallenged.
