Delhi, New Delhi:The former Indian captain has revealed why he stays away from commentary after retiring from international competition. Former cricket players use the microphone to criticize the sport they have played for many years and share their opinions about how the sport is being played by the younger generation.
From Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri to contemporary cricket players, a number of former players attempt the role and go on to have a successful second innings following their retirement. But MS Dhoni is unique.
When not playing in the Indian Premier League, the former captain prefers to avoid the spotlight. He shared his thoughts about working as a commentator, saying that he is "not good with stats" and that the position is "difficult" for him.
"Commentary is really challenging. There is, in my opinion, a very thin line between discussing the game and, in the process, entering a position where you begin to criticize other players. "It's a very thin line," Dhoni said in a YouTube conversation with sports broadcaster Jatin Sapru.
"You frequently don't even realize that what you're doing might be slightly incorrect. Every time you describe the game, you wish you were on the other side. You speak up if you think something is amiss.
However, how to present it in a way that is courteous and does not make anyone feel singled out is also an art. There are reasons why the team is losing, and you must be able to explain them without making anyone feel bad. That's what commentary is all about," he remarked.
According to Dhoni, he struggles with statistics and can't recall his own game-related numbers. "Statistics are not my strong suit. However, many people have exceptional statistical skills. They are statistically literate. He remarked, "If you ask me about my stats, I'll be like hmmm, and there are certain people who know stats about everyone throughout the era, not just the Indian cricket team or the Indian players."
Dhoni supports Kohli and Rohit in the 2027 ODI World Cup.In the meantime, the captain of the 2011 World Cup was questioned about a hotly debated topic in the cricket community: whether or not stalwarts should compete in the 2027 ODI World Cup. When the topic of whether Rohit (38) and Kohli (37) could play in the 2027 ODI World Cup came up during the nearly half-hour conversation, he initially joked, "Sorry, what's the question?"
However, he soon adopted a more somber tone and inquired, "Why not? Why shouldn't participate in the World Cup? Age is not a criterion in my opinion; performance and fitness are. I always believe that nothing should be disclosed to anyone. However, it should be made clear that everyone will receive the same treatment.
"Nobody told me anything when I made my debut at the age of 24, and now that I've been playing for India for ten, twenty, or whatever, no one needs to come and tell me about my age," he claimed.
He emphasized how important it is for the team to have experience for competitions like these. "In the next five years, other names like Virat or Rohit may surface. It is up to them to decide whether or not they can participate in the upcoming World Cup. Why not, he said, if they continue to play well and feel motivated to perform well for the nation.
"You can't find people with experience. You can't find an experienced 20-year-old unless it's a You only gain experience at that age if you begin playing at the age of 16 or 17.