Former India and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter Subramaniam Badrinath recently shared a rare instance when MS Dhoni, known for his calm demeanor, lost his cool.
A major part of Dhoni’s global popularity stems from his ability to remain composed under pressure, earning him the nickname “Captain Cool.” However, Badrinath, who played alongside Dhoni for six seasons in CSK, revealed a surprising moment where the legendary captain showed his anger.
In an interview with InsideSports, Badrinath recounted an incident after a low-scoring defeat to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Frustrated by the loss, Dhoni let his controlled anger show in the dressing room, a rare sight for teammates accustomed to his unshakable calm. According to Badrinath, this incident highlighted that while Dhoni may have always appeared unflappable on the outside, he was deeply invested in the team’s performance and had his own way of expressing disappointment.
“In this match against RCB in Chennai, we were chasing 110 odd. We lost wickets in a hurry, and we ended up losing the match. It was one of those matches where we couldn’t get 110 against RCB in Chepauk,” Badrinath said.
“I got out to a lap shot against Anil Kumble. I got myself LBW. He was coming inside the dressing room (MS Dhoni) and I was standing right there and there was a small water bottle in front of me and MS just kicked it out of the park, and I was oh my god! We were all trying to avoid eye contact with him in that dressing room,” Badrinath added.
Dhoni’s connection with CSK, from the inception of the IPL, is one of the most iconic stories in the league’s history. His leadership, composure, and ability to perform in crunch moments have made him synonymous with the franchise. Under Dhoni’s captaincy, CSK secured a joint-record five IPL titles, further solidifying their dominance in the tournament.
Even in IPL 2024, despite stepping down as captain, Dhoni played a crucial role for CSK. As a squad player and finisher, he scored 161 runs in 8 innings, often playing key last-minute roles in tense matches. This incident shared by Badrinath offers a glimpse into the unseen side of Dhoni’s leadership and his deep bond with the CSK family.