Dhoni is widely regarded as one of India’s finest cricketers ever.
Dhoni is the only captain in the history of cricket to have won all three ICC white-ball trophies – 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 ODI World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy. He also led India to the top of the rankings in the longest format of the game.
No wonder, Dhoni is widely regarded as one of India’s finest cricketers ever. Recently, former India pacer Sreesanth shared a fascinating anecdote from an India versus Pakistan match in Kerala, involving Dhoni from his early playing days.
"Before the India vs Pakistan match in Kerala, John Wright (India's head coach) called me to bowl in the nets. Kochi hosted the match. India vs Pakistan, it was houseful. Everyone was chanting 'India, India, Sachin, Sachin'," Sreesanth said in a chat on Sportskeeda.
"Dhoni bhai came and spoke with us (support players). I have not shared this story anywhere. When we were standing there, Dhoni bhai said 'I want to express myself. I am not getting the chance where I can express myself'," he added.
While Dhoni was keen to prove his mettle, a young Sreesanth was also eager to play for India back then.
"There was one more player with me from Kerala. Dhoni was talking with us. We even jokingly told him, 'Dhoni bhai, even we will come in the team in 1-2 years'. He said with a smile, 'Yes, sure. Why not. Just keep working hard'."
"At the dinner party, we just had a casual interaction. But I told him, 'Don't worry. Something tells me (you will play and do well soon).' I have the habit of motivating the players sitting on the bench. You won't believe, the next match he played he scored a hundred. In Duleep Trophy finals, he got a chance and he scored a hundred," Sreesanth revealed.
Dhoni then went on to score a hundred for India ‘A’ and never looked back.
"Then he got a chance in India 'A', he scored hundred again, and then hundred again. Crazy journey man! So from playing Duleep Trophy against him in 2003/04 to winning two World Cups with him. Unbelievable journey. That's why it is said you should not hope, you should believe.
"I am writing about this in my autobiography also. During India vs Pakistan match, MS Dhoni told me 'I don't know what we have to do. You don't know what makes you come here, but you know what to do here'," Sreesanth concluded.
While Dhoni called time on his international career in 2020, he continues to feature in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The 42-year-old captained CSK to a record-equalling fifth IPL title earlier this year.