Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra had his eyes on ex-India captain MS Dhoni ever since he played for India A on tour to Zimbabwe and Kenya. Chopra recalled how he found Dhoni unique and his different style caught his attention.
“I have seen a lot of cricketers in my cricket career of more than two decades, some from close quarters and some from a distance. While some had their focus on the game, others were interested in fame. While some climbed up the stairs of success, others only had their collars up. Some were crazy about cricket while others were struck by fashion. But this guy [MS Dhoni] was unique,” the cricketer-turned-commentator recalled in the latest video uploaded on his Youtube channel ‘Aakash Vani’.
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Chopra talked about Dhoni's appearance and how it gave him more an idea of a Bollywood star than a cricketer.
“He had long golden hair, white sunscreen on the face, and branded goggles over his eyes. If you glance at him, you would ask him to move aside as this was a cricket ground and not a Bollywood set. But here only he surprises you, as he did to me, his own roommate,” the former batsman said.
“The incident is from 2004, India A’s tour to Zimbabwe and Kenya when I, Aakash Chopra, a Test opener, and my junior MS Dhoni were sharing a room. When I would ask what he would like to eat, he would say whatever I wanted to order. When I would ask when he would sleep, he would say whenever I would switch off the light,” the former batsman went on.
“To say frankly, I had not expected such cordiality from this long-haired cool dude. I had thought he would say - ‘You leave it, I will only order’ or ‘I sleep late, you can put the bedsheet on your face and sleep’. It is said that greatness starts with simplicity. Simple life, high thinking.
“You will think simplicity means underconfidence. Not at all, we are talking of MS Dhoni. Inke dikhane ke daant aur khaane ke daant kuch aur hain (His appearances are very deceptive).”
Aakash had suggested Dhoni get a haircut as it would not help him make an impact. But he was proved wrong as Dhoni's hairstyle became his identity in upcoming years.
“When I told him lovingly to cut his hair as people may not consider him seriously, he responded back saying - ‘I am not cutting my hair, probably people might grow their hair after seeing me’,” Chopra recalled.
“It is said that Pakistan’s General Pervez Musharraf had also asked him not to cut his hair. We bow to MS Dhoni, to his talk and his confidence. Nowadays in every nook and corner, we see MS Dhoni’s haircut,” the former batsman added.
