âFile a PIL to know about my retirementâ: Dhoni â the smart media manager
MS Dhoniâs guide to handling Media and Press Conferences
At the start of the year when India were scheduled to play a lot of Twenty20s and Test matches for the major part of 2016, murmurs about Dhoniâs retirement were in the rounds. When asked by reports whether he had played his last ODI for India, Dhoni in his own way made it clear that he is still some way away from a swansong.Â
âFor this file a PIL first, then Iâll answer,â Dhoni said.
The skipper had previously joked about âputting a PIL to analyse his performanceâ, after Indiaâs loss in the third ODI at the MCG.
âThere will be a conflict of interest if I start reviewing my performance. We would have to put a PIL to judge my performance as the skipper,â Dhoni had said.
MS Dhoni is the most successful captain in Indian Cricket history. Fact! MS Dhoniâs out-of-the-box thinking has won India many matches. Absolutely! MS Dhoni is the best ODI and T20
Amidst all the media pressure, he has handled media and press conferences with ease, elegance and with a smile on his face. Arguably, one of the most underrated qualities of Mahi has been this ability to handle the media during his press conferences and even outside of that. His touch of intelligence, wit, spontaneity and that innocent smile has stumped many expert reporters during press conferences.
(Also read what Ravi Shastri had to say when asked about Dhoni being the best captain)
There are tens and hundreds of amazing things that MS Dhoni has said during press conferences and interviews - some brilliant replies to some not-so-easy questions thrown at him by the media.
1. When Steve Smith shook hands with MS Dhoni and had conceded the draw, 4 overs before the scheduled end of play in late 2014, an Australian reporter asked MSD, âWere you relieved when Steve Smith shook your hand with 4 overs left, you didnât have to finish the innings?â
And the ever-so-sharp Mahi had this to say -âI was ready to play. I had played 14-15 overs another 4 overs⌠Maybe they were too tired to bowl 4 overs."
As if, that blow wasnât enough, he then rubs it in by continuing to say âNow, thatâs a very Aussie answer that Iâve given.â
2. On being asked, if he remembers the feeling from the night before
âChaar din
3. He keeps his humorous side handy even during tough losses. After Indiaâs loss to Australia in the semi-final of the 2015 World Cup, Mahi turned the tables on the reporters stating that he always jokes with the teamâs media manager Dr. RN Baba saying, âIf the Media is happy with you then youâre not a good media manager.â
Sure, there was some collective friendly booing in the room from the media members but then Mahiâs
4. After the match-winning 224 against Australia, MS Dhoni turned to the media and had this to say about the criticism he had received going into this series.
"The best thing I've done so far is to not watch
5. On a similar case of criticism during another lean patch in Dhoniâs batting form, he referred to himself as a punching bag.
"If you are leading a side for three-four years, then you will be in a situation where you will be under pressure more often. You have to take it in your stride. I accept whatever comes to me. I feel good that I'm the punching bag because then there's less pressure on the team."
6. But it is not like Mahi steps up and delivers his message only after a good day on the field. After the embarrassing whitewash against Bangladesh, he made sure questions need not be raised about his captaincy and that he knew what is best for the team.
âIf it is justified that you remove me and Indian cricket will start doing well then definitely I would love to step aside and play as just a player. Ultimately, it is most important for India to win and not who is leading them to the win.âÂ
7. Mahi once again came up with a gem when asked how the team was dealing with the long Aussie tour of over 4 months from late 2014 to March 2015.
âIt has been over 4 months at one place. In another 20 days, we can apply for a citizenshipâ
8. The best of his imaginative and humorous side, however, came out when he was questioned about the alleged fight between Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan during the Test series in Australia.
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He went on to drop a hint for the next Marvel or Warner Bros movie with, âThese are all stories. Marvel, maybe Warner Bros or somebody should pick up this and make a nice movie out of it. I don't know where it comes from."
It is safe to say that Dhoni is undoubtedly the best in recent memory when it comes to handling the media and should really consider writing a book on how to handle the media. His cool, calm, composed nature has helped team India dodge many potential controversies. And knowing the pressure that our players already play with, any bullet evaded is a welcome bonus for everyone.
(Also read how Dhoni's CSK reign was celebrated and how the era ended)
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