When Aakash Chopra Disrespected MS Dhoni

image-llktlpdeMS Dhoni during 2007 T20 World Cup (Twitter)

Aakash Chopra, one of India’s Test regulars from the early 2000s, once talked about the time he shared with a young MS Dhoni. Taking to his YouTube channel Aakash Vani, the former cricketer travelled down the memory lane to recall his personal interaction with the wicketkeeper during 2004 tour of Zimbabwe and Kenya for India A.


Chopra taken aback by Dhoni’s cordiality

Back in 2020, Aakash Chopra took to his YouTube channel and entertained his audiences by narrating his earlier experience with Indian legend MS Dhoni. The former Test opener recalled a story from 2004 when the two cricketers were part of India A's squad in Zimbabwe and Kenya.

Being roommates on the tour, Chopra stated that he did not expect a long-haired bloke like Dhoni to be a cordial person, adding that he was taken aback by the wicketkeeper’s simplicity. The cricketer-turned-commentator said:

"To say frankly I had not expected such cordiality from this long-haired cool dude. I thought that upon asking what he would like to eat, he would say, 'You leave it, I will only order’ or upon asking when he would sleep, he would say ‘I sleep late you can put the bedsheet on your face and sleep'."

Chopra further explained that Dhoni’s simplicity was not a sign of underconfidence. He said:

“One may mistake simplicity for underconfidence. But this is not the case for Dhoni. Inke dikhane ke daant aur khane ke daant kuch aur hain.” (His looks are deceptive).

The former cricketer also recalled a time when he asked his junior to cut off his hair to be considered as a serious player. Dhoni simply refused his senior teammate, saying:

"I am not cutting my hair, probably people might grow their hair after seeing me."

As it turned out, the wicketkeeper’s hairstyle became a nationwide trend, especially in 2007 after he led a young Team India to a T20 World Cup win in South Africa.

Dhoni ultimately brought curtains to his glittering international career in August 2020, a full year after he made his final appearance for the Indian team. He retired as one of nation’s greatest players, and of the best limited-overs captains in the world.

To date, Dhoni remains the only skipper to have led his side to wins in all three major limited-overs ICC events.