Updated: August 17, 2020 10:17:23 AM
N Srinivasan was instrumental in appointing Dhoni as Chennai Super Kings captain during the inaugural season of the IPL in 2008. (Image photo)
A day after Mahendra Singh Dhoni took time on his international career, N Srinivasan revealed how he exercised his authority as then BCCI president in 2011-12 to ensure that he was retained as the Indian captain.
During India’s tour of Australia in 2011-12, after a 0-4 debacle in the Tests, the then selection committee had decided to remove Dhoni from captain, without even choosing his replacement, for the next ODI tri-series. Srinivasan arrived immediately after the selection meeting of a golf course to suppress the move.
“This was in 2011. India had won the World Cup. And (then) in Australia we did not do well in the tests. So, one of the voters wanted to remove him (Dhoni) as the ODI captain. The point is, how do you remove him as the ODI captain? He had won the World Cup (only a few months ago). They (emperors) had not even thought about who would be his replacement. There was a discussion and then (before the formal meeting) I said there was no way he would not be a player.
‘Actually, it was a holiday. I play golf. I came back. Sanjay Jagdale was the (BCCI) secretary at the time and he said: ‘Sir, they (selectors) refuse to choose the captain. They will take him (Dhoni) in the team ‘. I came and said MS Dhoni (would be the captain). I exercised all my authority as the (BCCI) president, ”Srinivasan told The Indian Express.
Read | Ms Dhoni was no longer first choice, retirement was too late
Former Indian colleague Mohinder Amarnath, who was then a member of the selection panel at the time, had talked about Srinivasan blocking the ‘unanimous decision’ to forget Dhoni as captain. “The president of the council did not approve the unanimous decision to replace Mahendra Singh Dhoni,” Amarnath told CNN-IBN in 2012.
Like the old BCCI constitution, team selections required the approval of the Board President. Lodha reforms have authorized chief electorate to hold final talks on selection issues.
India had won the World Cup in April 2011 under the captaincy of Dhoni, but an older Test side had clean sweeps in the following season in England and Australia. But Srinivasan saw no logic in removing Dhoni from the captaincy based on the team’s results in Tests. And the former BCCI president still supports his judgment.
‘Look, there was apparently a prejudice somewhere, which reflected something. He (Dhoni) has won the World Cup for you. After 1983, India won it again and you say, ‘I do not want him to become the ODI captain’! Left to them (selection), they might have (dropped him as a player). I do not know. I think it was the most unfair (move) and I am glad I stood my ground, ”Srinivasan told this paper.
MS Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket on Saturday. (Image photo)
Srinivasan was instrumental in appointing Dhoni as Chennai Super Kings captain during the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008. Over the years, the former Indian captain’s bond with Srinivasan and Chennai reinforce. After Dhoni’s international retirement, Srinivasan paid a glowing tribute to the great ‘goalkeeper’ batsman.
“Mahendra Singh Dhoni is an exceptional person, an exceptional cricketer and a very, very fair person. I have had the privilege of knowing him, moving in with him for over a decade. I have met and seen great cricketers in my life, people who had great cricketing skills. MS is an exception. He only thought of India and the team he played for, ”said Srinivasan.
He also recounted past selection meetings and Dhoni’s impartiality and fairness in them.
‘I have seen him in selection committee meetings. Whatever view he took was logical, and he never showed prejudice. I think he excelled in this aspect above everyone else. I have encountered so many people in business, in sports life, but it will not be easy to compare his equality, poise and sense of fair play. ”
Read | The highs and lows of MS Dhoni’s 15-year international career
The ex-BCCI and ICC chief refer to an observation made by legendary leg spinner Anil Kumble to explain Dhoni’s leadership qualities. “On the field he (Dhoni) was unsurpassed. In fact, Anil Kumble sniffed it out when he said – when CSK came back (in the IPL) and there was an auction and everyone criticized the management and said the team was old – ‘I give the team six out of 10 on paper. On the field, it is close to 10 out of 10, because Dhoni will be leading ‘. I do not think a greater tribute can be given to him. ”
He added: “He (Dhoni) knows how to get the best out of every player. He does it without fanfare, without publicity.
But everyone wants to play with him. They want to excel, they want to look good in his eyes. He is a hero of 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, (as) before the game. His communication with the players was never public.
‘He’s a natural. In principle, he is not a complicated person. He is a person with great clarity of mind. Every celebrity will shine light on him. According to Srinivasan, Dhoni played a large part in the explosion of public interest in T20 cricket, including the IPL. “I think Mahendra Singh Dhoni is one of the reasons for the burst of interest in T20 league cricket, including the IPL. The people of India have embraced T20 cricket and (them) many heroes, but MS Dhoni is special.
Read also | The retirement of MS Dhoni came as no surprise to the inner circle
“A few months ago, Pre-Covid, the (CSK) team gathered here (Chennai) to start training for the IPL. 15,000 to 20,000 people came to the stadium and shouted: ‘Dhoni, Dhoni, Dhoni’ … You do not see that audience for a test match in many places in India. No publicity was given (for practice sessions). People heard that he was practicing and they came. That is his popularity. He is an icon of India and in Tamil Nadu and Chennai he is very special.
‘I do not know how the bond 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. People took him in. ‘
Dhoni will continue as CSK captain in the IPL and the team is aiming for its fourth title. ‘He can play for CSK for as long as he wants. Let CSK win the IPL for now. One of the reasons for CSK’s success under Dhoni is that he never thinks above the match. He is never sad. And we will now follow the same policy (regarding the future of Dhoni at CSK after he hangs up his boots), ”said Srinivasan.
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