Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh recalled legendary MS Dhoni punching a screen outside the dressing room in frustration after the
handshake controversy post the IPL 2024 match between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Bengaluru.
However, in a do-or-die game for playoff qualification, CSK required 219 to win but only 201 to qualify in their 20 overs as well. Amid this, CSK needed 17 off the final over to reach the playoffs. Dhoni smashed the first ball of the 20th over for a massive six but got out of the following delivery and CSK eventually fell short of the qualification target by nine runs as well.
Meanwhile, Harbhajan Singh, on a commentary stint during the incident, recalled MS Dhoni letting out his emotions in a conversation with Sports Yaari as quoted by NDTV.
“RCB was celebrating and they deserved to celebrate because of the way they won. I was watching the whole scene from above because I was present there. RCB was celebrating and CSK had lined up to shake hands, RCB were a little late to reach CSK. By the time Team RCB finished their celebration, (Dhoni) went inside and he punched a screen outside the dressing room. I was watching from above but it is okay that every player has his own emotions, it happens,” said Harbhajan.
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However, despite reaching the playoffs with the stunning win over CSK, RCB could not go ahead as they faced a four-wicket defeat to
Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Eliminator to exit the tournament. Harbhajan Singh also felt Dhoni’s future in the IPL depends on his fitness and desire as well.
“Yes, but he was not so calm that day. Maybe because his dream of retiring with the trophy was shattered in front of his eyes that day. Because after winning the trophy, Dhoni could have retired in 2023. But this is MS Dhoni’s decision. Maybe we will see him this year and next year as well. It depends on him. We are no one to tell him when he should retire, if he is fit, he can play for CSK for the next 10 years. Who are we to tell him when and for how long to play,” Harbhajan Singh again said in the same interaction.
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Harbhajan Singh also said that Rohit Sharma is a better captain than MS Dhoni
“I chose Rohit above Dhoni because Rohit is people’s captain. He goes up to the people and asks them what they want. His teammates connect with him very well. But Dhoni’s style was different. He didn’t talk to anyone. He wanted to convey his thoughts through his silence. It was his way of communicating with others. The best thing is that he throughout his career, he has made a lot of friends while climbing up. He doesn’t have any enemies. All the guys are still with him and you won’t see anyone speak anything bad about him,” he concluded.
