“I control my emotions better than some of the others”: MS Dhoni
Mahendra Singh Dhoni has rightfully earned the title of India’s ‘Captain Cool’ but the former skipper says he’s not immune to emotions. Dhoni, who’s often praised for keeping a straight face on the field, guided India three ICC tournament victories under his belt.
Making his first commercial appearance since India’s semi-final loss at the 2019 World Cup in England, Dhoni spoke about his underlying emotions and the importance of controlling them.
“I am like everyone else but I control my emotions better than some of the other individuals,” Dhoni told PTI on Wednesday.
“I would say, I feel equally frustrated. I also feel angry at times, disappointed. But what is important is that none of these feelings are constructive,” he added.
Out of action since World Cup
The 38-year-old last played for India in the World Cup semi-final against New Zealand. Despite his and Ravindra Jadeja’s best efforts with the bat, India were knocked out of the tournament. Since then, Dhoni has excused himself from international cricket, missing the West Indies tour and the South Africa series at home. His future in the Indian team has been under speculation ever since.
Speaking to the press at an event in Delhi, Dhoni stressed on the fact that process is more important than the final result. It is something that the ex-captain swore by in his captaincy days and continues to do so.
“What needs to be done right now is more important than any of these emotions. What is the next thing I can plan? Who is the next individual whom I can use? Once I get into it, I am controlling my emotions in a much better way.”
Teamwork makes the dream work
Dhoni also explained how teamwork and common goals can help a team achieve success on the biggest of stages. He particularly recalled India’s victorious 2007 World T20 campaign, where the Indian team would religiously practice the ‘Bowl Out’ strategy that eventually helped them win a group game against Pakistan.
“What you want to achieve as a team is to win the tournament but that’s a long-term goal,” he said.
“Ultimately, what you do is to break it into smaller things. And It’s not always about few of the individuals performing a lot better than the whole lot. You want everybody to contribute. That one wicket at that right moment, that outstanding catch.”
After the South Africa Test series, India will also be playing a limited-overs series against Bangladesh and West Indies at home this year. It is unlikely that Dhoni will feature in them, considering the team’s preparations for the 2020 World Cup. Coach Ravi Shastri though, said that Dhoni will have to start playing if he wants to make his way back into the national team. BCCI’s new chief Sourav Ganguly said that a discussion regarding Dhoni’s future will happen in his meeting with the selectors on October 24.
Read: Sourav Ganguly’s checklist: Things at the top of the agenda for new BCCI President
