NEW DELHI: Former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has indicated that a stint in the commentary box is unlikely, admitting that the role demands a level of statistical recall and on-the-spot analysis he finds challenging. The World Cup–winning skipper described commentary as a tough job that requires constant balance between insight and numbers.
Since retiring from international cricket in 2020, the 44-year-old has largely stayed away from public discussions on the game. Dhoni, under whose leadership India clinched three ICC titles, now limits his on-field involvement to the Indian Premier League, where he continues to feature for the Chennai Super Kings.
MS Dhoni's big T20 World Cup warning for Team India: 'One thing that worries me'
"Commentary is very difficult. I feel there is a very fine line between describing the game and in that process getting into a zone where you start criticising individuals who are playing the game. It's a very thin line," Dhoni told sports broadcaster Jatin Sapru during a YouTube interaction.
"Often, you don't even feel that what you are doing is may be borderline wrong. You would always like to be on the other side where you are describing the game. If you feel something is wrong you say it out.
"But how to put it, that is also an art, how to politely put it forward where nobody feels targetted...If the team is losing there are reasons behind it, and you need to have the skill of describing those reasons without anybody feeling bad. That is the art of commentary," he said.
Dhoni also believes his inability to memorise statistics - including numbers from his own career - would leave him at a disadvantage in the commentary role.
"I'm not good with stats...but there are a lot of people who are very good with stats. They know stats...If you ask me about my stats, I'll be like hmmm and there are certain people who know stats about not just Indian cricket team or the Indian players but everyone throughout the era," he said.
Good listener but not good with phones
Renowned for his calm, almost Zen-like composure while making tough decisions during his playing career, Dhoni was also asked whether he ever sought advice on cricket or life. The former wicketkeeper-batter said he has rarely felt the need to do so, crediting his tendency to listen carefully and absorb perspectives around him.
"I'm a very good listener. Yes I do speak with people who I'm comfortable with. But I'm more of a listener than a speaker. And if I don't know about the topic I don't speak much because I will be absorbing more if I'm listening," he said.
"I never feel that urge to contribute if I don't know...being a good listener you don't always have to look for advice...They keep floating around just with certain people who you are having a conversation with.
"You need to have that intelligence to figure out what works the best for you," he added.
But with a wide grin, he admitted that he still hasn't become any better at answering the phone.
"I'm not good in that way of communicating. I like to sit across and speak to people. I'm not someone who's very good over the phone because I can't see a face. So, I'm a very awkward guy when it comes to speaking on the phone.
"So that's something I want to improve but I'm glad I haven't improved," he joked.
"You know when initially mobile phones came it was for the benefit of the people who own the phone. Now your mobile phone is for my benefit," he said.
(With PTI Inputs)
MS Dhoni says no to commentary, reveals why the mic doesn't suit him
NEW DELHI: Former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has indicated that a stint in the commentary box is unlikely, admitting that the role demands a level of statistical recall and on-the-spot analysis he finds challenging. The World Cup–winning skipper described commentary as a tough job that requires constant balance between insight and numbers.
Since retiring from international cricket in 2020, the 44-year-old has largely stayed away from public discussions on the game. Dhoni, under whose leadership India clinched three ICC titles, now limits his on-field involvement to the Indian Premier League, where he continues to feature for the Chennai Super Kings.
MS Dhoni's big T20 World Cup warning for Team India: 'One thing that worries me'
"Commentary is very difficult. I feel there is a very fine line between describing the game and in that process getting into a zone where you start criticising individuals who are playing the game. It's a very thin line," Dhoni told sports broadcaster Jatin Sapru during a YouTube interaction.
"Often, you don't even feel that what you are doing is may be borderline wrong. You would always like to be on the other side where you are describing the game. If you feel something is wrong you say it out.
"But how to put it, that is also an art, how to politely put it forward where nobody feels targetted...If the team is losing there are reasons behind it, and you need to have the skill of describing those reasons without anybody feeling bad. That is the art of commentary," he said.
Dhoni also believes his inability to memorise statistics - including numbers from his own career - would leave him at a disadvantage in the commentary role.
"I'm not good with stats...but there are a lot of people who are very good with stats. They know stats...If you ask me about my stats, I'll be like hmmm and there are certain people who know stats about not just Indian cricket team or the Indian players but everyone throughout the era," he said.
Good listener but not good with phones
Renowned for his calm, almost Zen-like composure while making tough decisions during his playing career, Dhoni was also asked whether he ever sought advice on cricket or life. The former wicketkeeper-batter said he has rarely felt the need to do so, crediting his tendency to listen carefully and absorb perspectives around him.
"I'm a very good listener. Yes I do speak with people who I'm comfortable with. But I'm more of a listener than a speaker. And if I don't know about the topic I don't speak much because I will be absorbing more if I'm listening," he said.
"I never feel that urge to contribute if I don't know...being a good listener you don't always have to look for advice...They keep floating around just with certain people who you are having a conversation with.
"You need to have that intelligence to figure out what works the best for you," he added.
But with a wide grin, he admitted that he still hasn't become any better at answering the phone.
"I'm not good in that way of communicating. I like to sit across and speak to people. I'm not someone who's very good over the phone because I can't see a face. So, I'm a very awkward guy when it comes to speaking on the phone.
"So that's something I want to improve but I'm glad I haven't improved," he joked.
"You know when initially mobile phones came it was for the benefit of the people who own the phone. Now your mobile phone is for my benefit," he said.
(With PTI Inputs)