Dhoni speaks: ‘No one gives you a discount for your age in professional sport’
Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s future is one of the most hotly-debated topics in Indian cricket at the moment, especially after the Chennai Super Kings were eliminated by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL 2024 group stages.
While Dhoni himself hasn’t spoken out about his future, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan recently told The Indian news that the franchise has never asked Dhoni what his plans are after IPL 2024.
“There were no discussions in the dressing room about it. We have never asked him about his future and neither has he said anything about it. When he takes a decision, he will inform us, until then we will not interfere,” Viswanathan had told The Indian news.
Now, in a recent video that surfaced on the internet on Monday, Dhoni can he heard talking about why he takes his fitness so seriously.
After undergoing knee surgery in May 2023, Dhoni went on to play in all 14 CSK games this season in IPL. He scored 161 runs at a strike rate of 220.55, which included 13 sixes. CSK head coach Stephen Fleming and batting coach Mike Hussey have maintained that Dhoni’s ability to hit the ball long and hard still remains the same. The duo believes that there are no issues with Dhoni’s fitness.
Dhoni explains in a video how seriously he takes his fitness.
“The toughest thing is… I am not playing cricket throughout the year. So I have to be fit. Once I come, you are competing against youngsters who are fit and playing international cricket. Professional sport is not easy, nobody gives you a discount for age. If you want to play, you have to be as fit as the other guy. Age does not really give that grace to you. So, eating habits, a bit of training and all those things are there. Social media, thankfully, I am not on social media, so there’s less distraction,” Dhoni says as part of a panel discussion. A video clip of his talk from the stage was uploaded by Dubai Eye 103.8 YouTube channel on Monday.
WATCH: Dhoni speaks about his fitness
Dhoni also spoke about things that help him maintain his focus at this stage of his career.
“Once I quit international cricket, I wanted to spend a bit more time with my family. But, at that same time, to be mentally active, to have that passion to stay focussed — for me, I love farming, for me it is the motorbikes, I have started getting into vintage cars. These things de-stress me. If am stressed, I would maybe go to the garage, spend a couple of hours over there and I will just be fine, I would come back,” Dhoni added. “I have always felt growing up with a pet, whether it is a cat or a dog… I prefer dogs though. They have unconditional love towards you. I have said this in a previous interview, even if I lose a game and come back, my dog greets me the same way.”
The Indian news has learnt that Dhoni’s decision to quit or continue depends on the players’ retention rule that BCCI will be deciding on before next season’s big auction.
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