'M.S. Dhoni Doesn’t Need A Godfather'

In the wake of the 2013 IPL betting and match-fixing scandal, the Supreme Court may have set him aside from cricket administration, but former BCCI and ICC sup­remo N. Srinivasan continues to be passionate about the game and his IPL team, Chennai Super Kings. The 75-year-old is synonymous with the rise of Mahendra Singh Dhoni and is said to have played a stellar role in shaping the career of the Ranchi man, who has captained CSK since 2008. Dhoni retired from international cricket on August 15, but will play for CSK in the upcoming IPL in the UAE. Srinivasan spoke to Soumitra Bose.

How did you react to Dhoni’s retirement from international limited overs cricket?

Let it be a mystery if Dhoni informed me that he was retiring. Retirement is not an easy decision and maybe he is just tired. I will like him to focus on IPL 2020 and he is already doing that.  

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When Dhoni retired from Test cricket in the middle of a series in Australia in Dece­m­ber 2014, he had consulted you. What did you tell him?

MS had decided to quit Tests before 2014. I had stopped him, saying he still had a lot of Test cricket left in him. In Australia, he told me, “Last time, I listened to you, this time you listen to me.” He said, “I am tired sir, I want to quit.” Dhoni didn’t want any fanfare…just left quietly in a matter of 30 minutes and let Virat Kohli take over. I am not surprised the way (through an Instagram post) he left this time too.

What were your first impressions of Dhoni when you saw him in 2008?

From day one, when he came here (Chennai for IPL), I not­iced his simplicity. I am a simple person too and we hit it off straight away.

You have had a tremendous relationship with Dhoni…..

Honestly, I have never asked myself what made us bond so well. Everything happened naturally. One thing about MS that stays with you is he is a very fair man.  

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What about Dhoni the cricketer?

He is possibly the greatest cricketer India has ever produced.

Greater than Tendulkar?

I don’t want to compare. Sachin was outstanding, great...but MS is a captain, wicket-keeper and an aggressive batsman. You can compare batsmen, but MS was a leader, and that’s why the best cricketer ever for India.

What made him a good leader?

His focus and his logical nat­ure. For him, playing for India was ultimate. For him, every person mattered; I have not seen prejudice in him. Plus, we know what he is capable of on the field. Yet, achievement and fame sit very lightly on his shoulders.

People say you were his godfather?

A man who has won two World Cups for India doesn’t need a godfather. Yes, I exercised my power as president to save his ODI captaincy, but then the selectors were making ridiculous decisions.   

Chennai Super Kings is synonymous with M.S. Dhoni. A Jharkhand man has become a superhero of a team from Tamil Nadu. That’s amazing.

That’s the universal appeal of a cricketer. Dhoni appeals with his persona of a leader who can inspire and make things happen.

How did Dhoni take the two-year ban that CSK faced due to charges of betting and match-fixing?

It is sad that people ganged up against CSK. It’s been seven years and not one person has been examined in the 2013 betting/match-fixing case. It was used to throw mud…what has the Mumbai Police done? I was even told that you resign from BCCI and nothing will happen to Gurunath Meiyappan (Srini’s son-in-law, who was indicted for betting and fixing). It was a setup…pure jealousy. They didn’t like us coming up from the South, let’s put it this way.   

How many times have you seen Dhoni crying?

We had a dinner to celebrate our return to IPL 2018. Dhoni choked with emotions, saying how much we went through as a team. By saying we have to take the rough with a smile, MS put the bel­ief back in the team. He will fight for CSK on the field and I will do that off the pitch.