Robin Uthappa, a right-handed batter, has revealed an fascinating truth about Mahendra Singh Dhoni, saying that the previous India captain has peculiar consuming habits.
“His simplicity is something that’s always been there and it’s something that hasn’t changed. He’s just as simple today as he was the first time I met him. Dhoni is the most uncomplicated person in the world,” Uthappa mentioned in an episode of ‘My Time With Heroes’ on JioCinema.
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Uthappa and Dhoni have recognized one another for 20 years, and Uthappa fondly recollects the time they spent collectively. He shared the story of assembly Dhoni for the primary time in 2003.
“The first time I noticed MS was in 2003 at an India camp at NCA Bangalore. He was batting in opposition to Munaf Patel again when he used to bowl actually quick with the sling motion. Other quick bowlers have been additionally bowling. MS was batting and hitting lengthy sixes off them. He really ended up injuring S Sriram. Sriram was bowling to him and Dhoni stepped out and hit the ball extraordinarily laborious. Sriram touched it along with his hand and the ball went 10-20 yards again.
Uthappa additionally defined the rationale for Dhoni’s phenomenal success as a captain for India and Chennai Super Kings.
We thought Sriram was working after the ball, however he ran previous it and straight into the dressing room as a result of he broke two fingers. We needed to see how a lot energy MS has and it was explosive. At that second, I knew he was going to play for India. He’s a particular batsman,” the 37-year-old recalled.
“We used to always eat together. We had a group: Suresh Raina, Irfan Pathan, RP Singh, Piyush Chawla, Munaf (Patel), MS and me. We would order dal makhni, butter chicken, jeera aloo, gobi and rotis. But MS is a very rigid person when it comes to eating. He would eat butter chicken but without the chicken, only with the gravy! When he ate chicken, he wouldn’t eat the rotis. He is quite weird when it comes to eating,” he added.
“He has sharp instincts and he backs his own instincts. That’s why he’s been such a successful captain. He takes responsibility for every outcome, whether it is a win or a loss. If he makes a bad decision because of his instincts, the man can’t sleep for a few days. He starts overthinking. If a good captain’s instincts are sound 4 or 5 out of 10 times, Dhoni’s instincts are sound 8 times or 9 times,” former CSK participant mentioned.
“MS is a very open person. He does not hesitate in speaking the truth, even if it hurts you. I remember when I was signed by CSK in the auction, he called me and said, I am not sure if you’ll get a chance to play because the season is still far away and I haven’t given it any thought. If you do end up playing, I will let you know.’ By now, I had enjoyed 13 successful years in the IPL. Still, he told me to my face what he had to do. I still appreciate that a lot,” he mentioned.
Additionally, Uthappa spoke about Dhoni’s different traits and shared the primary dialog he had with Dhoni after the IPL public sale a couple of years in the past.
About his time at CSK in Dhoni’s presence, Uthappa mentioned: “In the first season, I saw everyone in the squad calling him Mahi bhai. I went up to him and asked if I should call him Mahi bhai too. He dismissed it saying, call me what you want, it makes no difference. Please call me Mahi only.”
