MS Dhoni, widely known as ‘Captain Cool’ for his calm demeanor on the cricket field, has occasionally lost his temper, though rarely in public. Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and India batter Subramaniam Badrinath recently shared one such rare instance when Dhoni’s emotions got the better of him after a humiliating defeat at home against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium.
During an interview, Badrinath narrated the story of a match where CSK, led by Dhoni, failed to chase a small target set by RCB. The Bengaluru side had been bowled out for a mere 110 runs, but CSK, having an off-day with the bat, crumbled and lost the match.
Badrinath emphasized that while Dhoni is known for his ability to control his emotions on the field, any sign of frustration would only surface behind closed doors in the dressing room. “He’s also human. He has lost his cool but never on the field, only inside the dressing room,” Badrinath recalled.
In that particular match, Badrinath himself played a role in CSK’s downfall, getting dismissed after a poor shot selection against Anil Kumble, leaving his captain visibly frustrated. After the game, Dhoni entered the dressing room and in a rare show of anger, kicked a water bottle in frustration.
“There was a small water bottle in front of me, and MS just kicked the bottle right out of the park,” Badrinath said, recalling how the entire team tried to avoid making eye contact with their usually composed captain.
Despite the disappointment, Dhoni did not call for a team meeting or express his frustrations verbally. According to Badrinath, the lack of words made his message even more powerful. “That’s why I think non-verbal communication is the most powerful form of communication,” Badrinath concluded.
While MS Dhoni’s calmness has been a hallmark of his leadership, this rare instance shows that even the coolest of captains can lose their temper when things go awry. However, Dhoni’s ability to contain his emotions and his preference for non-verbal communication still reflect his unique approach to leadership.
