'MS firmly told Raina to go back' - RP Singh recalls a rare moment when MS Dhoni lost his cool

RP Singh, the former Indian fast bowler, has recalled how MS Dhoni lost his cool at Suresh Raina for not listening to his instructions. The now 39-year-old Dhoni is known to be cool as a cucumber, an attribute that has helped him overcome a number of hurdles in his career. It also earned him the name of ‘Captain Cool’ as he kept garnering one laurel after the other in his journey.

But as per Singh, Dhoni had to be firm, asking Raina to listen to his instructions. The retired speedster, who won the 2007 T20 World Cup under Dhoni’s leadership, said that Dhoni hardly used to yell, but got angry a few times.

MS Dhoni never used to scream, says Singh

“We were in Sri Lanka and Raina was coming too forward at cover while fielding and Dhoni was warning him not to come too close. Few deliveries later, Raina missed a ball and then MS firmly told him to go back as he was instructing. He could be terse and firm when he wanted. Although he was never vocal or scream but he too used to get angry,” Singh told to cricket.com.

Singh made his debut for Team India three months before Dhoni did against Bangladesh in Chattogram. The pacer went on to play under Dhoni until the end of his career and also shares a healthy bond with the Jharkhand-born. Singh said that when they first met, Dhoni had already made a name for himself.

“First time we met was in domestic cricket in the Deodhar trophy. He had come since he wasn’t part of the playing XI for East Zone. Then, we met in a camp in Bangalore. But I was aware of him because in UP and Bihar there used to be so many unofficial tournaments and he was already a big name when we met in Gwalior for the first time,” he stated.

Throwing light on his qualities, Singh said that he’s a reserved person with a limited circle of people. Singh said being an introvert character, Dhoni played indoor games and didn’t mind staying indoors. Even Sakshi Dhoni, MSD’s wife, has revealed how her hubby has been spending quality time in the quarantine period amidst the coronavirus pandemic.