MS Dhoni’s guide to handling Media and Press Conferences

At the start of the year when India were scheduled to play a lot of Twenty20s and Test matches for the major part of 2016, murmurs about Dhoni’s retirement were in the rounds. When asked by reports whether he had played his last ODI for India, Dhoni in his own way made it clear that he is still some way away from a swansong.

“For this file a PIL first, then I’ll answer,” Dhoni said.

The skipper had previously joked about “putting a PIL to analyse his performance”, after India’s loss in the third ODI at the MCG.

“There will be a conflict of interest if I start reviewing my performance. We would have to put a PIL to judge my performance as the skipper,” Dhoni had said.

MS Dhoni is the most successful captain in Indian Cricket history. Fact! MS Dhoni’s out-of-the-box thinking has won India many matches. Absolutely! MS Dhoni is the best ODI and T20 finisher in Indian Cricket history. Agreed! MS Dhoni won India 2 World Cups within a span of 4 years. True! MS Dhoni can walk on water. Well… maybe that last one is debatable. MS Dhoni may not be able to walk on water, but he can certainly talk his way out of almost any question that the media hurls at him.

Amidst all the media pressure, he has handled media and press conferences with ease, elegance and with a smile on his face. Arguably, one of the most underrated qualities of Mahi has been this ability to handle the media during his press conferences and even outside of that. His touch of intelligence, wit, spontaneity and that innocent smile has stumped many expert reporters during press conferences.

(Also read what Ravi Shastri had to say when asked about Dhoni being the best captain)

There are tens and hundreds of amazing things that MS Dhoni has said during press conferences and interviews - some brilliant replies to some not-so-easy questions thrown at him by the media.

1. When Steve Smith shook hands with MS Dhoni and had conceded the draw, 4 overs before the scheduled end of play in late 2014, an Australian reporter asked MSD, “Were you relieved when Steve Smith shook your hand with 4 overs left, you didn’t have to finish the innings?”

And the ever-so-sharp Mahi had this to say -“I was ready to play. I had played 14-15 overs another 4 overs… Maybe they were too tired to bowl 4 overs."

As if, that blow wasn’t enough, he then rubs it in by continuing to say “Now, that’s a very Aussie answer that I’ve given.”

2. On being asked, if he remembers the feeling from the night before the 2007 T20 World Cup final, which India won under MSD’s captaincy seven years ago, Dhoni replied saying –

“Chaar din pehle ki baat yaad nahi rehti , aap saat saal pehle ki baat yaad karne bol rahe ho.”(I cannot remember things from 4 days ago and you’re asking me about 7 years ago)

3. He keeps his humorous side handy even during tough losses. After India’s loss to Australia in the semi-final of the 2015 World Cup, Mahi turned the tables on the reporters stating that he always jokes with the team’s media manager Dr. RN Baba saying, “If the Media is happy with you then you’re not a good media manager.”

Sure, there was some collective friendly booing in the room from the media members but then Mahi’s elegancy always covers up for his audacity.

4. After the match-winning 224 against Australia, MS Dhoni turned to the media and had this to say about the criticism he had received going into this series.

"The best thing I've done so far is to not watch news or read newspapers, so that has really helped, frankly. It's not that I don't read newspapers, it's just that the back pages are always the sports page and I try to get rid of that.”

5. On a similar case of criticism during another lean patch in Dhoni’s batting form, he referred to himself as a punching bag.

"If you are leading a side for three-four years, then you will be in a situation where you will be under pressure more often. You have to take it in your stride. I accept whatever comes to me. I feel good that I'm the punching bag because then there's less pressure on the team."

6. But it is not like Mahi steps up and delivers his message only after a good day on the field. After the embarrassing whitewash against Bangladesh, he made sure questions need not be raised about his captaincy and that he knew what is best for the team.

“If it is justified that you remove me and Indian cricket will start doing well then definitely I would love to step aside and play as just a player. Ultimately, it is most important for India to win and not who is leading them to the win.”­

7. Mahi once again came up with a gem when asked how the team was dealing with the long Aussie tour of over 4 months from late 2014 to March 2015.

“It has been over 4 months at one place. In another 20 days, we can apply for a citizenship”

8. The best of his imaginative and humorous side, however, came out when he was questioned about the alleged fight between Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan during the Test series in Australia.

" Yeah actually that was the case. Virat used a knife. Then he stabbed Shikhar, who just recovered out of that and then pushed him out to bat.”

He went on to drop a hint for the next Marvel or Warner Bros movie with, “These are all stories. Marvel, maybe Warner Bros or somebody should pick up this and make a nice movie out of it. I don't know where it comes from."

It is safe to say that Dhoni is undoubtedly the best in recent memory when it comes to handling the media and should really consider writing a book on how to handle the media. His cool, calm, composed nature has helped team India dodge many potential controversies. And knowing the pressure that our players already play with, any bullet evaded is a welcome bonus for everyone.