Bengaluru: In a new show titled, ‘7 Shades of MS Dhoni’, JioHotstar brought together heartfelt anecdotes and rare insights from cricketers and experts, such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jos Buttler, Matthew Hayden, Sanjay Manjrekar, and Aakash Chopra. They shared their impressions, unforgettable moments, and the lasting impact Dhoni had on the game and on their lives.
Speaking exclusively on JioHotstar’s special show ‘7 Shades of MS Dhoni’, star India batter Virat Kohli reflected on the calming presence and enduring leadership of MS Dhoni during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019:
“His greatest skill is just maintaining his composure in the toughest of moments. That’s why he is so good, because he’s able to make the right decisions under pressure. He’s always calm, composed, and he allows himself to get into that mental space, where he can take the most important calls. There’s so much to learn from him. When I walked into the Indian team, he was my captain—and he’s always going to be my captain.”
On Dhoni’s lasting impact, India batter Rohit Sharma spoke about MSD’s presence in the dressing room during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021:
“From my own perspective, in 2007, I actually made my World Cup debut under him. Since then, we had a very long journey and played a lot of cricket together. His ability to connect with youngsters and encourage them, no matter the situation of the game or the player’s performance, is something truly special. He always tries to create a calm atmosphere around a player, so they don’t feel insecure. I believe it’s an extremely important quality.”
England’s former white-ball captain Jos Buttler lavished praise on Dhoni during the World Cup in 2019:
“As a fellow wicketkeeper, he’s been an idol of mine growing up—Mr. Cool. I have always loved his persona on the field; he looks so calm and in control when he bats. He has got lightning-fast hands behind the stumps, and he loves to take the game deep. His unique style makes him a great ambassador for the game. I’m a huge MS Dhoni fan.”
