In a surprising revelation, Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has recounted a rare instance when former Indian captain MS Dhoni lost his temper with fast bowler S Sreesanth. This incident took place during an international match in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, in 2010. Ashwin narrates this episode in his autobiography titled I Have The Streets- A Kutty Cricket Story.
During the match, Ashwin was on water duty and repeatedly carried drinks for Dhoni. It was during one of these breaks that Dhoni casually inquired about Sreesanth’s whereabouts. Sreesanth, who was a reserve player for that match, was not present with the other reserves. Dhoni, known for his calm demeanor, insisted that Sreesanth should come down and sit with the rest of the team.
Ashwin writes, “I take water. MS drinks. Two overs later, I take more. He drinks more. Then again. I have carried more water for MS than anyone else. When I go in for the drink break, MS asks, ‘Where is Sree?’”
Unsure of how to respond, Ashwin informed Dhoni that Sreesanth was in the dressing room. Dhoni asked him to relay the message that Sreesanth should join the other reserves. However, Sreesanth did not take the message seriously and continued to stay in the dressing room, receiving a massage.
Dhoni’s patience wore thin as Sreesanth did not comply. Ashwin recalls, “I return to my drink duties. The next time I have to go with a helmet. This time I can sense MS is angry, and I have never seen him lose his cool. ‘Where is Sree? What is he doing?’ MS asks sternly.”
Upon hearing that Sreesanth was getting a massage, Dhoni was furious and instructed Ashwin to speak to the team manager, Ranjib Biswal, to arrange a ticket for Sreesanth to return to India immediately. Dhoni’s stern message finally prompted Sreesanth to comply and take on the drink duties himself.
“Sree quickly gets up and gets dressed. Not only that, but now he assumes the drinks duties. The next time MS needs a drink, Sree makes sure he charges out. Instead of taking the drink from him, MS motions for me to come over. ‘Did you tell Ranjib sir or not?’ he asks me.”
Ashwin concludes by noting that while the situation was tense, Dhoni and Sreesanth eventually sorted it out. This incident stands out as a rare glimpse of Dhoni’s authoritative side on the field.
