8 times when MS Dhoni came up with savage replies in press conferences

MS Dhoni is as cool as it gets on the cricket field, but he also possesses a brilliant sense of humour.

MS Dhoni, the highly regarded former captain of the Indian cricket team, has not only left a significant impact on the field through his remarkable performances but has also gained attention for his clever comebacks that have caught the media's eye. Whether it's during press conferences or in the midst of intense matches, Dhoni's quick and astute responses have become a topic of conversation.

His ability to deliver witty and cutting remarks has captivated both fans and journalists, establishing him as an expert in the art of comebacks. Dhoni's fearlessness and unapologetic approach to engaging in verbal exchanges have made him a formidable adversary, leaving a lasting impression in both cricket matches and interactions with the media. Let's take a glimpse into 8 instances where MS Dhoni delivered savage replies during press conferences.

8 incidents when MS Dhoni came up with savage replies in press conferences:

8. MS Dhoni's Playful Banter: A Memorable Exchange with a Reporter on Retirement Speculations

After India's devastating loss to West Indies in the semi-finals of the 2016 T20 World Cup, a Cricket Australia reporter named Sam Ferris approached Dhoni and raised the question of whether he was considering retirement from international cricket. What unfolded next was beyond the realm of anyone's imagination, including Sam Ferris himself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cn81p5ZG1Rw

Dhoni: Come here, let’s have some fun. Come here.

(Ferris obliges and goes on to sit alongside Dhoni)

Dhoni – You want me to retire?

Ferris – No, I was just asking you

Dhoni – I was hoping it was an Indian guy, but you know I can’t really ask your brother or son who can play for India as a wicket-keeper.

Ferris – Sure. Sure.

Dhoni – Do you think I’m unfit?

Ferris – No!

Dhoni – Looking at me running?

Ferris – Very fast!

Dhoni – You think I can survive till the 2019 World Cup?

Ferris- Ummmm!. Sure! Yes!

Dhoni – Then you’ve answered the question 🙂

You fired the wrong ammunition at the wrong time!!

7. Crushing the Rift Rumors: Dhoni's Masterstroke of Unity at the 2009 T20 World Cup

As the 2009 T20 World Cup approached, the media buzzed with speculations about a potential discord between MS Dhoni and the explosive opener Virender Sehwag.

Unfortunately, Sehwag sustained an injury prior to the tournament, prompting a curious reporter to question Dhoni about his absence from a training session. In response to the reporter's query, the former Indian captain offered the following reply: “maybe you should ask his physio to issue a press release”.

In a remarkable turn of events, MS Dhoni demonstrated extraordinary leadership before India's first match against Bangladesh. He assembled the entire Indian squad in the press conference room and delivered a statement to quell rumors of a rift between him and Sehwag, which he attributed to "irresponsible reporting." Dhoni firmly stated that he would not entertain any questions from journalists during this pivotal press conference, focusing solely on fostering team unity and dispelling further speculation.

6. MS Dhoni's Funny Take on the Helicopter Shot

Leading up to the 2016 Asia Cup T20 in Bangladesh, India were engaged in a three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka on home soil. After suffering a defeat in the first match held in Pune, the Indian team bounced back impressively, securing a commanding 69-run victory in Dhoni's hometown, Ranchi.

In the subsequent press conference, following this remarkable win, MS Dhoni faced a question about his reduced usage of the iconic "helicopter shot" compared to his earlier days. The Indian captain's response evoked laughter from everyone present, as he delivered a witty and humorous reply.

“See you cannot fly a helicopter under the ocean or in a submarine. In the same way, you play the helicopter shot to a certain delivery. I can’t hit it off a bouncer. Maybe if I stand on a stool and go for it. With the current opposition strategy, it’s very hard to play that shot,”.

5. Dhoni's Analogical Explanation on Not Including Harbhajan Singh in the 2018 IPL Finals:

In the 2018 edition of the IPL, the Chennai Super Kings, led by MS Dhoni, experienced an emotional homecoming. After a two-year suspension, the team, known for their passionate "Whistle Podu" chants, clinched their third IPL title by defeating the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the finals.

To reach the finals, CSK had already defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad in the first qualifier. However, what surprised many was Dhoni's decision not to include Harbhajan Singh in the playing XI, despite the latter being one of the team's key bowlers that season.

Watch the video here:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ZfQY08MnK6w

A reporter took the opportunity to ask Dhoni about this decision, posing the following question: “how hard it was not to use bhajji”?

Dhoni drew upon an analogy involving his bikes and cars to elucidate his thought process and said “I have quite a few cars and bikes in my garage, I don’t use all of them always,”.

4. Dhoni's Unwavering Commitment: Prioritizing National Duty in the Face of Personal Joy:

During MS Dhoni's captaincy, while leading the Indian cricket team in Australia, he and his wife Sakshi were blessed with a daughter named Ziva on February 6, 2015.

Amidst the team's busy schedule, a reporter posed a question to the Indian captain, inquiring whether he regretted not being in India during the birth of his daughter, Ziva. Dhoni's response to this query resonated deeply with the media and virtually everyone who heard it, as he managed to capture their hearts with his answer.

“Not really. As of now, I am on national duties so I think everything else can wait. The World Cup is a very important campaign.” 

3. The Unexpected Cold: Dhoni's Memorable TV Advertisement Misinterpretation in Australia:

During the 2011-12 Australian tour, Mahendra Singh Dhoni delivered yet another memorable response. Dhoni referred to a pre-series advertisement on television as he shared his anecdote, stating, "I was sitting at home, casually watching television. As is customary before an India-Australia series, you come across some incredibly impactful advertisements. One particular advertisement caught my attention, and it said:"

‘It is winter out here, and summer out here, so get ready to feel the heat Down Under.’ I took it very seriously. I didn’t pack a single jacket, only to realize it is pretty cold here.” 

2. Dhoni's Musical Analogy Defines Indian Team's Transition in the 2011-12 Tour of Australia:

Undoubtedly, the 2011-12 Indian tour of Australia stands out as one of the most challenging periods in MS Dhoni's captaincy career. Following a crushing 0-4 defeat in the Test series against England, the Indian team experienced a similar fate against the Australians.

As the team prepared for the tri-nation ODI series, a wave of young players joined the Indian setup. When a reporter inquired about Dhoni's perspective on the transition from seasoned Test veterans to these budding talents for the 50-over rubber, the Indian captain responded with the following thoughts.

“From Kishore Kumar, we have gone to Sean Paul.”

1. Dhoni's Hilarious Response to Speculations After the Kohli-Dhawan Incident:

During the second Test match between India and Australia at the Gabba in 2014, an unfortunate incident occurred when opener Shikhar Dhawan injured his hand during a practice session. This injury happened just moments before the crucial fourth day of the match. Consequently, Virat Kohli was called upon to join Cheteshwar Pujara for batting, receiving very little notice.

Kohli's innings was short-lived, as he was dismissed after scoring just 1 run off 11 balls. Unfortunately, India went on to lose the Test match on the same day. In the post-match interview, MS Dhoni expressed that Dhawan's injury had caused "unrest" in the dressing room, as they were only able to provide Kohli with a mere 5-10 minutes' notice to prepare for his batting appearance.

Dhoni's statement triggered a media frenzy, with numerous reports speculating about a potential altercation between Kohli and Dhawan. During the pre-match press conference before the Boxing Day Test, Dhoni was asked the same question once again. His sarcastic response left everyone present in stitches, further adding to the amusement surrounding the situation.

“Actually that was the case. Virat used a knife. He stabbed Shikhar, who just recovered out of that then we pushed him to bat. These are all stories. Marvel, maybe Warner Bros or somebody should pick up this and make a nice a movie out of it,” Dhoni said wittily, as reported by cricket.com.au.