One of the many reasons why Mahendra Singh Dhoni is so loved is his calm demeanour on and off the field. His unflinching attitude is what earned him the moniker 'Captain Cool'.
What many people don't know, however, is that Dhoni did have moments of anger on the field. Albeit, in his own subtle way.
This revelation was made by Suresh Raina in a recent interview with Gaurav Kapur on the show Breakfast With Champions.
Dhoni and Raina go back a long way. From making their international debuts around the same time, to sharing the India and Chennai Super Kings dressing rooms for years, the duo have shared a solid partnership.
"Although Dhoni wore shades most of the time, even without them it was difficult to look into his eyes and know what he was thinking," says Raina. "We used to wonder why he isn't showing any emotion even after a misfield or dropped catch.
"However, he did have his moments. When the camera was not on him, during the commercial break between overs, he would walk up and say 'sudhar ja (improve yourself)' with a poker face."
Raina goes on to share an interesting anecdote involving Pakistan's Kamran Akmal. "During one match, Kamran went up to Dhoni and complained that I was abusing him. Dhoni came up to me and asked what happened. I told him that I didn't abuse but was only trying to get under his skin. Dhoni looked at me and said 'do it more'.
"That's the kind of attitude Dhoni has. He wanted me to build more pressure on Kamran. He reads the game really well. The world says he's a great finisher, that's because he reads the game so well. At all times, he has three plans ready in his head. Plan A, Plan B, Plan C. He takes them all with him when he steps on the field.
"He plans before each game and visualises. Whatever comes in his subconscious mind, he explains to his conscious mind. That's why he's s always so confident, because he knows the game is his no matter what the opposition does."
Here's the interview
.
