MS Dhoni and Deepak Chahar during their playing days for Chennai Super Kings
Recently, former CSK pacer Mohit Sharma opened up about a different side of Dhoni that fans rarely see. He revealed how Dhoni, often calm on the outside, can turn into a tough and fiery leader who controls bowlers with authority.
Playing for the Chennai Super Kings under MS Dhoni has always been a unique experience for cricketers. While the world typically views Dhoni as calm, collected, and unflappable, those who have played with him know that he can also be strict and fiery when the situation demands it. Former CSK pacer Mohit Sharma recently opened up about this side of the legendary captain, sharing incidents that showed how Dhoni’s tough love shaped bowlers like him and Deepak Chahar. Mohit was part of Chennai’s setup during two different stints, first between 2013 and 2015 and later in 2019.
In his initial three seasons, he picked up 57 wickets, establishing himself as a reliable bowler for the side. Across both stints, he finished with 69 wickets, which still keeps him among CSK’s top wicket-takers. But according to Mohit, those wickets and the success behind them did not come without challenges. He admitted that Dhoni was not shy about scolding or even shouting at his bowlers whenever they lost focus. Recalling those years, Mohit explained that fast bowlers sometimes get distracted, whether by crowd noise or by not paying attention to the captain’s signals. He said:
We’ve got a lot of abuses from him. But he always says, what happens on the field, stays there. Later, he will make you understand but never be angry with you. I have heard a lot from him. Being a fast bowler, you tend to lose focus. Pay attention to what’s happening behind you. If he waves at you and you are facing towards some other end. If someone from the public says something and you react. Because of things like this, I’ve copped a lot of flak from him.
Dhoni, standing behind the stumps, always demanded sharpness. If a bowler failed to notice his instructions or went against the plan, he would not hold back his frustration. Mohit admitted he faced Dhoni’s outbursts many times, but the important thing was that once the match was over, Dhoni never carried the anger forward. Off the field, he would calmly explain what had gone wrong and why he reacted the way he did. This balance between toughness and care was what made him such a special leader. As Mohit’s role in the team began to fade, Deepak Chahar stepped into the spotlight as CSK’s main Indian pacer.
Chahar too soon realized that being under Dhoni’s captaincy meant constant pressure to stay alert. Fans have often noticed Dhoni shouting at Chahar on the field or even playfully tapping him when he messed up. According to Mohit, it was all part of Dhoni’s way of guiding him. He treated Chahar like a younger brother, scolding him when needed but also showing affection and belief in his ability. One particular moment from the 2019 season highlighted Dhoni’s leadership style most memorably. That year was a breakthrough one for Chahar, as he picked up 22 wickets and became a vital part of Chennai’s attack. But during one hot and humid game in Chennai, Chahar tried a knuckleball that completely backfired and was hit for runs. On this, Mohit added:
Deepak Chahar has also received a lot of abuses. He too has a story. In 2019, Deepak was playing, and I was not. The game was in Chennai, and everyone was sweating profusely. He bowled a knuckle ball that I think was a full toss or something, which was hit for either a four or a six. Dhoni bhai told him not to bowl it again. He said, “ok Mahi bhai”. After bowling the next 2-3 balls, he bowled the knuckle ball again which this time went over the head of the batter.
Dhoni quickly told him not to bowl it again. Chahar agreed, but only a couple of balls later, he tried the same delivery once more, and it turned out even worse. This time, Dhoni walked up to him, put his arm around his shoulder, and had a quiet word before going back behind the stumps. Nobody knew exactly what was said at the time, but after the match, Chahar shared the story with his teammates. Dhoni had scolded him, but ended it with a line that stuck in everyone’s memory. It was his way of saying that if the mistake happened, the blame rested on him for trusting the bowler in that situation.
For Mohit, this summed up Dhoni’s character perfectly. He demanded discipline, and he could be harsh in the moment, but he also took responsibility and never made his players feel abandoned. Even when using tough words, there was always a sense of protection and care behind them. That is why bowlers like Mohit and Chahar were able to grow under his guidance and perform with confidence, knowing their captain had their back. Stories like these show that Dhoni’s calm image only tells half the story. On the field, he was willing to lose his temper if it meant keeping his team focused and sharp. He concluded with:
Mahi bhai came up to him, kept his arms around Deepak’s shoulder, said a few things to him and went back. We obviously didn’t know. So when the match got over, we asked what happened? He said, ‘You know what he said? He said a few wonderful things (likely abuses), and then he added ‘Bewakoof tu nahi hai, bewakoof main hu (You’re not the fool, I am). So that is a tale we always remember. Now it’s Deepak’s turn and he will be part of that queue. At the same time, Dhoni bhai loves Chahar equally.
But what made him different from most was the way he balanced that strictness with empathy. He could scold a bowler for ignoring his instructions one moment and then crack a joke or take the blame on himself the next. For Mohit Sharma, those “abuses” were never personal. They were reminders to stay disciplined and alert, and in the long run, they made him a better bowler.
For Deepak Chahar, the same approach brought out the best in him during his early years at CSK. That is the essence of Dhoni’s leadership, fierce when it needs to be, caring when it matters the most, and always ensuring that his players feel supported. It is this rare combination of discipline, trust, and affection that has made MS Dhoni not just a great captain but also a mentor who continues to inspire players long after the match is over.