Sanjiv Goenka, owner of the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) IPL franchise, has lauded MS Dhoni as an unbelievable captain. Incidentally, MS Dhoni had captained Goenka’s previous IPL franchise, the Rising Pune Supergiants in IPL 2016, before being removed by him as leader in IPL 2017.
The legendary 43-year-old keeper-batter will feature in the IPL 2025 as he was retained by his franchise, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Dhoni had led CSK to five IPL titles in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023, before relinquishing captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad in IPL 2024.
However, he continues to guide the young guns inthe CSK franchise and has made the fans of the team happy with his performances in the last two IPL seasons, despite dealing with injuries.
During his recent appearance on the TRS show, while talking about Dhoni, Goenka said he has not seen a leader like him. He praised Dhoni’s approach and thinking and said that at this stage of life as well, he is reinventing himself.
“I’ve never seen a leader like MS Dhoni. It’s crazy how even to this day he keeps reinventing himself. Just look at Pathirana, a baby bowler. Don’t know where MS saw him and now groomed him into a lethal match-winner. He knows how to use his players well, and he keeps on thinking. Whenever I interact with him, I always learn something," Goenka said on the TRS podcast.
“I have an 11-year-old grandson who is crazy about cricket. Dhoni in my home taught him how to play cricket, some 5-6 years ago. He constantly asked him questions, and I told my grandson, ‘Leave him now.’ Dhoni replied, ‘Let it be; I am enjoying this conversation.’ Dhoni went on to have a conversation with him for half an hour. This human quality with a kid where he spent so much time for a kid. It makes you learn how to speak with others, and that is why he is Dhoni. Whenever he plays against Lucknow, the entire stadium is filled with yellow to support him," he added.
Dhoni, who is the most capped player and the joint-most successful captain in IPL history, with Rohit Sharma of MI. The five-time IPL winner was retained for Rs 4 crore by the Chennai-based franchise ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction.
