The Untold Stories: Indian Cricketers and Their Rift with MS Dhoni
When we talk about Indian cricketers, the best-known names for us growing up include names like Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Harbhajan Singh, and of course Captain Cool, MS Dhoni (MSD). Under MSD’s leadership, we saw the Indian team rack up major trophies like the T20 World Cup of 2007, the 2011 ODI World Cup, and the Champions Trophy in 2013. He is famous for keeping cool under pressure and making critical decisions at many turning points for India.
However, even after having so much popularity, his professional relationships with certain Indian legends have not always been smooth. Some legendary cricketers have complained over the years, providing valuable perspectives on the intricacies of team dynamics. The conflicts between MSD and some of India’s most famous cricket players are examined in this article.
MSD and Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir played a major role in 2007 World Cup triumphs as well as in 2011. He was the team’s leading scorer in both finals and greatly contributed to their victory. Gambhir, though, has been upset about his contributions not being acknowledged.
Gambhir’s Frustration Over Credit
In a tweet addressing a post celebrating MSD’s iconic six in the World Cup of 2011, Gambhir remarked:
“Just a reminder @ESPNcricinfo: #worldcup2011 was won by the entire India, entire Indian team & all support staff. High time you hit your obsession for a SIX.”
Gambhir’s frustration highlights his belief that the victory was a team effort, not just an individual achievement.
Criticism of Dhoni’s Rotational Policy
During the CB Series held in 2012 in Australia, MSD introduced a rotational policy for senior players, citing their slow fielding as the reason. Gambhir, alongside Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar, was rotated out to make room for younger talent. Gambhir later criticized this policy, labeling it as “crap” and disruptive to team balance.
MSD and Yuvraj
Once considered MSD’s close friend, Yuvraj Singh’s relationship with the former captain soured over time. Yuvraj, the hero of the 2011 World Cup, felt unsupported during important phases of his career.
Lack of Support During Cancer Recovery
Yuvraj has often hinted that senior players, including himself, didn’t receive adequate backing. He pointed out that Dhoni enjoyed immense support from Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri toward the end of his career, which allowed him to play 350 ODIs. Yuvraj lamented the lack of similar support for other players.
“Look at Mahi (MS Dhoni) towards the end of his career. He had so much support from Virat and Ravi Shastri. They took him to the World Cup, he played till the end and went on to play 350 games. I think support is very important, but in Indian cricket, everybody will not get support,” he remarked in an interview.
Missed Opportunity as Captain
Yuvraj also blamed internal politics for his missed opportunity to captain the Indian team. He claimed certain BCCI officials preferred Dhoni over him due to their biases, especially after the controversial Greg Chappell era.
MSD and Virender Sehwag
The explosive opener and Dhoni clashed during the 2012 tour of Australia. Sehwag was upset when Dhoni publicly stated that senior players were being rotated due to their slow fielding without addressing the issue directly with them.
“When MS Dhoni said in Australia that the top three are slow fielders, we were never asked or consulted. We got to know from the media. He said at the press conference but not at the team meeting that we are slow fielders,” Sehwag revealed.
This lack of direct communication strained their professional relationship.
MSD and Harbhajan
Harbhajan Singh is one of the sharpest off-spinners that the Indian team had. He played an important role in the team’s successes under MSD’s captaincy. However, Bhajji feels his career was cut short without justification.
Singh’s Shocking Allegations
Bhajji revealed that he was dropped from the team despite taking 400 wickets and being a match-winner. He accused MSD of not providing any explanation for his exclusion.
“I tried to ask the captain [Dhoni] why, but I wasn’t given a reason. I realized there’s no point in asking when no one replies.”
He also disclosed that MSD stopped responding to his calls, leading to a complete breakdown in their communication.
MSD and Irfan Pathan
Irfan Pathan is one of the most promising all-rounders that India has. However, he also faced professional disagreements with Dhoni. Pathan was dropped after winning the Player of the Match award in his last ODI and T20I.
Lack of Feedback
Pathan sought feedback from Dhoni after being criticized in the media for not bowling well. However, he claimed he never received constructive criticism, only facing the harsh reality of being dropped.
“I remember getting dropped after winning the game in Sri Lanka in 2008. Who gets dropped after winning the game for the country?” Pathan questioned.
Important Takeaways
The rifts between Dhoni and these cricketing legends shed light on the challenges of managing a team filled with strong personalities. While Dhoni’s contributions to Indian cricket are undeniable, these stories reveal that even the most successful leaders face criticism and conflict.
Summary Table of Conflicts:
| Player | Reason for Rift |
|---|---|
| Gautam Gambhir | Lack of credit for contributions, criticism of rotational policy |
| Yuvraj Singh | Lack of support post-cancer recovery and missed opportunity as captain |
| Virender Sehwag | Public criticism of fielding without direct communication |
| Harbhajan Singh | Dropped without explanation, lack of communication |
| Irfan Pathan | Dropped after winning performances, no constructive feedback. |
Conclusion
MSD’s journey as a captain and player has been nothing short of legendary. However, these rifts remind us that even the greatest leaders face challenges in managing relationships. While fans continue to adore Dhoni, the untold stories of his conflicts with teammates add a complex layer to his illustrious career.
