Updated: August 17, 2020, 10:35:21 am
N Srinivasan was instrumental in naming Dhoni as captain of the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL’s inaugural season in 2008. (File photo)
One day after Mahendra Singh Dhoni announced his international career, N Srinivasan revealed how he was exercising his authority as then-BCCI President in 2011-12 to ensure he remained as captain of India.
During the India tour through Australia in 2011/12, after a 4-0 debacle in the tests, the then selection committee decided to remove Dhoni from the captain for the following ODI tri series without even choosing his replacement. Srinivasan came straight from a golf course for an interview to thwart the move.
“That was 2011. India had won the World Cup. And (back then) in Australia we didn’t do well in the tests. One of the selectors wanted to remove him (Dhoni) as ODI captain. The point is, how do you remove him as the ODI captain? He had won the world championship (just a few months ago). They (selectors) hadn’t even thought of who his replacement would be. There was a discussion and then (before the official meeting) I said there was no way he wouldn’t be a player.
“It was actually a public holiday. I played golf. I came back. Sanjay Jagdale was the secretary (BCCI) at the time and said, “Sir, you (selectors) refuse to elect the captain. They will take him (Dhoni) into the team. I came and said MS Dhoni (would be the captain). I have exercised all of my authority as President (BCCI), ”Srinivasan told The Indian Express.
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Former Indian batsman Mohinder Amarnath, who was then a member of the selection committee, had spoken about Srinivasan blocking the “unanimous decision” to sack Dhoni as captain. “The CEO has not approved the unanimous decision to replace Mahendra Singh Dhoni,” Amarnath told CNN-IBN in 2012.
According to the old BCCI constitution, team selection required the approval of the CEO. The reforms in Lodha authorized the Chief Selector to accept the final call for selection questions.
India had won the World Cup under Dhoni’s captain in April 2011, but an aging test team had taken a clean victory in England and Australia the following season. But Srinivasan saw no logic in removing Dhoni from the captain based on the team’s results in tests. And the former BCCI president still supports his verdict.
“You see, there seemed to be prejudice somewhere that was reflected. He (Dhoni) won the world championship for you. After 1983 India won it again and you say “I don’t want him to be the ODI captain”! Left to them (selectors), they could (drop him as a player). I dont know. I think that was the most unfair (step) and I’m glad I stood up, ”Srinivasan said of the paper.
MS Dhoni announced its retirement from international cricket on Saturday. (File photo)
Srinivasan was instrumental in naming Dhoni as captain of the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) inaugural season in 2008. Over the years, the former Indian captain’s bond with Srinivasan and Chennai has strengthened. After Dhoni’s international resignation, Srinivasan paid tribute to the great batsman.
“Mahendra Singh Dhoni is an extraordinary person, an extraordinary cricketer and a very, very fair person. I had the privilege of knowing him and moving with him for over a decade. I’ve met and seen great cricketers in my life, people who had great cricket skills. MS is an exception. He only thought of India and the team he played for, ”said Srinivasan.
He also reported on past interviews and Dhoni’s impartiality and fairness in them.
“I saw him in meetings of the selection committee. Whatever view he expressed, it was logical and never showed prejudice. I think he towered above everyone else in that regard. I’ve met so many people in business and in sports, but it won’t be easy to achieve his equanimity, demeanor and sense of fair play. “
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The ex-BCCI and ICC boss referred to an observation made by the legendary leg spinner Anil Kumble to explain Dhoni’s leadership qualities. “In the field, he (Dhoni) was unbeatable. In fact, Anil Kumble summed it up when he said – when CSK came back (at the IPL) and there was an auction and everyone criticized management for the team being old – “I give the team six out of ten on paper. On the field it’s almost 10 out of 10 because Dhoni will take the lead. I don’t think any greater tribute can be paid to him. “
He added, “He (Dhoni) knows how to get the best out of every player. He does it without fanfare, without advertising.
But everyone wants to play with him. They want to stand out, they want to look good in his eyes. He is a hero to every Indian cricketer. Team meetings would take a few minutes, that’s all. He will communicate directly with the players. He will communicate during the game (or) before the game. His communication with the players was never public.
“He’s a natural. Basically, he’s not a complicated person. He is a person with great clarity. Any fame will easily sit on it. “According to Srinivasan, Dhoni played a huge role in the explosion of public interest in T20 cricket, including the IPL. “I think Mahendra Singh Dhoni is one of the reasons for the growing interest in T20 League cricket, including the IPL. The people of India have embraced T20 Cricket and (its) many heroes, but MS Dhoni is special.
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“A few months ago, the team (CSK) gathered here (Chennai) before Covid to start practicing for the IPL. 15,000-20,000 people came into the stadium and sang “Dhoni, Dhoni, Dhoni” … They don’t see that crowd for a friendly match in many places in India. There was no advertising (for practice sessions). People heard that he was practicing and they came. That’s its popularity. He is an icon of India and in Tamil Nadu and Chennai he is very special.
“I don’t know how the connection between him and Tamil Nadu and Chennai developed. In the early seasons of the IPL he would come, he would go (out) on his motorcycle. The people took to him. “
Dhoni will continue to be CSK captain in the IPL and the team is aiming for their fourth title. “He can play for CSK as long as he wants. Let CSK currently win the IPL. One of the reasons CSK’s success under Dhoni is that he never thinks beyond the game. He never digresses. And we’re going to have the same policy now (regarding Dhoni’s future at CSK after he hung up his boots), ”said Srinivasan.
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