Former India skipper MS Dhoni is known for his cool head, composure amid tough circumstances, and equitable temperament. They call him ‘Captain Cool’ for a reason. His ability to remain calm and collected on the field despite turbulent situations defines his character and has helped India and CSK win trophies.
MS Dhoni also has a really sharp and competitive brain with which he’s down even the biggest of the oppositions and best of the teams.
One anecdote that the fans recall is when MS Dhoni specifically asked his teammates to not celebrate despite India on the verge of securing a big victory against Australia, that too in Australia.
This story dates back to the 2008 CB Tri-Series in Australia, when MS Dhoni was only in his second year of captaincy and India were close to clinching a terrific victory at the MCG. However, the then India captain asked his teammates to not celebrate excitedly on the balcony.
This was because MS Dhoni didn’t want Ricky Ponting and his Australian players to think that India’s victory was just a fluke.
By not celebrating a win over the reigning ODI World Champions Australia at the MCG, this was a strong message that MS Dhoni and Team India sent to the Aussies that they are not here to create any upsets, but win because they are the better team.
This incident shows MS Dhoni’s elite captain’s mentality and competitive side also.
This incident is narrated in veteran journalist Bharat Sundaresan’s book The Dhoni Touch.
Bharat Sundaresan writes:
‘This was during the time when Australians were on top of their game and Dhoni was a young captain. Beating them in their own backyard was a big deal. Ricky Ponting and his men believed that every loss was an ‘UPSET’.
‘It was only the fifteenth ODI as captain for MS Dhoni, and he was at the crease with Rohit Sharma. With 10 runs to win, he called for a needless change of gloves. In cricket, it’s generally with a pair of gloves that you see information arriving from the dressing room.
‘Dhoni was doing the opposite though. He was sending a poignant message back to the pavilion. ‘Nobody will celebrate on the balcony once we win this match.’
‘Dhoni felt that if they will celebrate vociferously, Australians will feel that the Indian victory was a fluke. Dhoni’s point was loud and clear: “This will continue to happen and this is not an upset.”
‘This was Mahi’s way of saying it’s no big deal. My bowlers got them all out for 160 and we are chasing it down, usme kaunse badi baat hai (there’s no big deal in it).’
India went on to win the CB Series 2008 in Australia for the first time as MS Dhoni’s stature as captain grew bigger.
