Apart from his unprecedented success in the game, MS Dhoni is also known for his calm and composed demeanor on the field. No matter what the situation was, the former Indian captain hardly showed any emotions on the cricket field.
For the same reason, he is known as the ‘Captain Cool’. The legendary batsman and wicket-keeper was an absolute expert in controlling emotions. When he started his captaincy, the Indian team was packed with legendary players like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and others. MS Dhoni surpassed all expectations and became one of the most decorated captains in the history of Indian cricket.
While MS Dhoni controlled his emotions very well on the cricket field, things seemed to be a little different behind the scenes. His former India teammate Ravichandran Ashwin revealed that he once got so angry that he decided to send former pacer S Sreesanth back to India midway through the South Africa tour.
When MS Dhoni lost his cool:
MS Dhoni was angry at S Sreesanth after the latter ignored the former India captain’s order to sit on the bench with other reserves while a match was in progress. Sreesanth ignored the order to get a massage in the dressing room.
Ravichandran Ashwin himself was a substitute who played during that match. While the bowler was carrying bottles and helmets onto the field, MS Dhoni asked him about Sreesanth. Upon learning that the bowler was refusing to sit in the dugout, MS Dhoni decided to send him back to India, leaving Ashwin stunned.
“I tell him that Sree is upstairs in the dressing room. He tells me to tell Sree that he has to come down and sit with the other reserves,” Ashwin wrote in a book titled ‘I Have The Streets- A Kutty Cricket Story’, co-written by journalist Sidharth Monga.
“I’m back to my drinking duties. Next time I have to wear a helmet. This time I can sense that MS is angry, and I have never seen him lose his cool. ‘Where is Sree? What is he doing?’ MS asks sternly.”
“I tell him that he is getting a massage. MS doesn’t say anything. In the next over, he calls me to return the helmet. He is calm now. While giving it to me, he says, ‘Do one thing. Go to Ranjib sir. Tell him that Sree is not interested in being here. Ask him to book his ticket for tomorrow so that he can return to India,'” Ashwin added.
Ashwin recalled that he was stunned by Dhoni’s comment and was left speechless. Sreesanth soon realised that the matter was getting out of hand and immediately joined the reserves on the bench.
“I’m stunned. I don’t know what to say. I just stare at his face. MS says, ‘What happened? Now you don’t understand English either?’
“Sree quickly gets up and gets dressed. Not only that, he now takes up the task of serving drinks. The next time MS needs a drink, Sree makes sure he runs out,” Ashwin wrote.