Former Team India captain MS Dhoni decided to quit international cricket in August last year. He had not featured in the Indian team for over a year after the ICC 2019 World Cup semi-final. Dhoni was with his IPL franchise, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) teammates when he broke the news through a social media post.
CSK batsman Ruturaj Gaikwad recalled the day (August 15, 2020), when Dhoni surprised everyone with his decision. He said the news took time to sink in and he was in shock by the sudden call to quit international cricket.
"Last year on 15th August, we were practicing in Chennai before heading to Dubai. Around 6:30, we wrapped up the practice and headed to have dinner. Suddenly, someone said that Mahi bhai has announced his retirement. We had no idea or discussion that he was going to announce his retirement," he said in an exclusive interaction with India TV.
"I didn't have the courage to go and ask him about his retirement. I was still in shock by his sudden retirement. It took 2-3 days for the news to sink in," he added.
Ruturaj further talked about Dhoni and his way of dealing with players. He said the CSK captain doesn't put any restrictions on what a player includes in his diet. However, Dhoni does expect 100% on the field.
Ruturaj, who is now a crucial part of CSK's batting set-up, said that Dhoni doesn't put any restrictions on what his teammates consume. "Mahi bhai doesn't put any diet restrictions in the CSK camp. He says 'I just want 100 percent effort from you on the field'. He has seen me eating sweets a lot of times. He just says 'you can eat these sweets if your body type allows it'.
"I've never seen him angry. Of course, he gets angry on the field but it's just a heat-of-the-moment thing. I'm also a cool-headed person and I don't get angry very easily," he said.
The CSK opener had a tough start of the IPL 2020 and he was COVID-19 positive along with Deepak Chahar. Ruturaj also failed with the bat in initial opportunities but he showed his potential in the last few matches which put him ahead of everyone for the opening spot contender in IPL 2021.
"It's a bit difficult when you're in your room for 14 long days. You get a bit anxious... you get doubts over your future and it's a bit tough. We should find ourselves a way through it.
"In the first two games, I felt weakness. I remember sleeping over 12-14 hours after the match. I was also feeling tired and the weakness was there for a couple of matches. It was back to normal after my body got used to it," the Maharashtra cricketer said.
The 24-year-old said he dreams of playing for India but only focuses on things that are under his control and doesn't put much pressure on himself. "I don't pay much attention to the selection process as it is out of my hand. Under Mahi bhai, I've learned to focus on things that are under your control, like your fitness and training process. The goal is to just keep delivering match-winning performances in every game.
"Every professional cricket dreams to play for India one day. I'll be happy if I get the opportunity to wear the national jersey soon," he said.
(Wth India TV Inputs)
