New Delhi — As the cricketing world continues to celebrate the legacy of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, some of the sport’s most iconic figures have opened up about what made the former India captain such a rare phenomenon. Speaking on JioHotstar’s special feature “7 Shades of MS Dhoni”, legends from India and around the globe recalled their experiences of playing alongside, selecting, or facing off against one of cricket’s greatest minds.
Former India selector Kiran More shared his early impressions of Dhoni when he was spotted as a raw talent from Ranchi.
“We were looking for someone who could bring power-hitting into our batting order — someone different from the mold of Dravid, Tendulkar, or Laxman. Dhoni brought that spark. He was unpolished, but there was something very special about him,” said More.
Mohammad Kaif, who witnessed Dhoni’s rise first-hand, recalled his blistering knock against Pakistan in 2005:
“He walked out to bat at No. 3 unexpectedly. Nobody expected a hundred — and he smashed 140. It was a do-or-die match for him. But he played with such freedom. We thought he’d go for a quick 30, but he paced the innings perfectly.”
Former India coach Gary Kirsten, under whose tenure India won the 2011 World Cup, praised Dhoni’s quiet but effective leadership style:
“He wasn’t loud in meetings but was constantly interacting with players one-on-one. He read the game like no one else — and in a chase, he was almost impossible to dismiss. He was a frontline soldier who led by action, not words.”
South African great AB de Villiers, who faced Dhoni numerous times, admitted that trying to bowl to Dhoni in the death overs was nearly impossible:
“When he was in rhythm, nothing worked. We tried bowling wide with the seam — sometimes it worked, often it didn’t. He was simply a class act — very hard to plan against.”
Former England captain Eoin Morgan echoed similar thoughts:
“You could go in with five plans, and he’d beat them all. Especially in the last few overs, Dhoni’s ability to manipulate the field and read your intentions — it was like he was always one move ahead.”
From selectors to opponents, teammates to coaches — the consensus is clear: MS Dhoni was not just a cricketer but a game-changer whose instinct, calm, and unmatched finishing ability redefined modern cricket. His journey from a small-town boy to a global icon remains one of the most inspirational stories in Indian sport.
