India’s former flamboyant batsman VVS Laxman recalled an incident in his autobiography 281 when newly appointed MS Dhoni drove the team bus. Dhoni always had his own methods on tackling the situations and he always wore a cool head on his shoulders. In fact, India had suffered huge losses against England and Australia in 2011. However, Laxman revealed that Dhoni never let out his frustration come out in a wrong way.
MS Dhoni always had a sedate nature and said that what is the point of feeling dejected and depressed after the loss. In fact, Dhoni believed it could have further hampered their performance in the next matches.
Dhoni is the epitome of calmness.
“One of my abiding memories is of MS (Dhoni) driving the team bus to the hotel in Nagpur, during my 100th Test. I couldn’t believe my eyes — the captain of the team driving us back from the ground! It was his first Test in charge after Anil’s (Kumble) retirement, and he didn’t seem to have a care in the world. But he was like that, playful and grounded. MS never lost the joy, the playfulness. I have never met anyone quite like him,” Laxman wrote in his autobiography ‘281 and Beyond.’
What is the point of feeling dejected?
VVS Laxman revealed he was mighty impressed with the calmness of MS Dhoni despite the results not going in India’s favour. India had to deal with big losses against England and Australia in 2011.
“MS Dhoni’s calmness and equanimity are legendary. He had seen nothing but success until the tour of England in 2011. We had lost 4–0 in England and had already lost the first three Tests in Australia by the end of that year, and were heading for another whitewash. I was a mess, as were most of the guys, but MS was unbelievably composed. Not once did he lash out, and at no stage did he give the impression that he was frustrated or helpless,” Laxman wrote.
“I prided myself on being level-headed, but MS took it to another level when he said, ‘Lachi bhai, what is the point of feeling dejected and depressed? All it will do is harm your performance even more,” he added.
MS Dhoni is an epitome of the cool and composed head. In fact, Dhoni was able to take the most important decisions of Indian cricket with guile. Meanwhile, VVS Laxman and MS Dhoni shared a great bonhomie while playing with each other for the national side.