MS Dhoni and Murali Vijay have an old relation. Vijay, who made his Test, ODI and T20 debut under Dhoni’s captaincy, also played his last IPL match for Chennai Super Kings in 2020. Having spent over a decade in the dressing room since 2008, Vijay has seen Dhoni’s illustrious career from close quarters.
During his initial days, Dhoni acted as a guiding figure not only for Vijay but also for other budding talents like Suresh Raina and Rohit Sharma, forming a strong bond with him. Vijay acknowledges the immense value of Dhoni’s support, seeing him as an elder brother who provided valuable guidance.
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“I feel there is not much guidance needed at that level but Dhoni’s support was needed a lot for all the youngsters like me, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma. Everyone played at the same time. He was like an elder brother guiding all of us. It was a great relationship,” Vijay said in an exclusive chat with News18 CricketNext.
For Chennai-based Vijay, Dhoni’s popularity in the city, which continues to grow, comes as no surprise and the 39-year-old, who is on studio commentary duty in Mumbai for the playoffs, feels the former India skipper has “Natural Relation”. More than the cricketing prowess, it was the love of Chennai for their “Thala” in the way he carried himself.
“It was a natural connection he built with Chennai because of the game he had – unorthodox but hugely effective. People loved him and the way he carried himself, everybody, teammates still have the same love for him. This shows the personality and character of MS Dhoni. In my eyes, he has remained the same in every way. Of course we get old (laughs), but as a human being he has been fantastic,” says Vijay.
team man dhoni
The 41-year-old Dhoni has had a problem with his left knee since the start of the IPL but continues to hit the ground, hit those big sixes at the end of the innings and keep wickets. First from the dressing room and now from the TV screen, Vijay is all praise for his former skipper for how he managed to overcome injuries and carry the team forward.
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“It’s a great feeling and I wish him success in his game,” he said. With all the injuries and everything, how he still manages to pull it off is fantastic to watch as a cricketer. Dhoni has always been a team man who has always put the team ahead of everything else,” says Murali Vijay in an exclusive chat with Vijay News18 Cricket Next,
Dhoni is a man of few words and less talkative. He is not one to stick to a smartphone and only started having one when his daughter Ziva was born in 2015. Was it difficult even for Vijay to reach Dhoni? Like his former partner, Vijay also prefers to follow that approach and does not get overwhelmed with calls or messages.
“It is difficult even to approach me when the weather is not on (laughs). I don’t bother anyone. I neither call nor text anyone. When we meet, we hit off immediately,” says Vijay.
big question
will he? Won? Definitely? Definitely not? These are the questions on everyone’s mind as the IPL enters the business end on May 23 with the first qualifier between Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans. Vijay wants the decision to be left to Dhoni and urges that the chatter about it should stop. It is a personal choice and “we all should respect that”.
“Bro, 100%. But I also think it depends on the person and we all should respect that and not talk about it. It’s a personal choice and I wish her all the best Whatever he does,” says Vijay.
Ability
The high-octane clash between GT and CSK is just hours away and former CSK batsman Vijay wants his IPL team to do well but feels it will be an equal encounter against a strong GT side, led by A young skipper is doing it and riding high on speed. ,
“I have played for CSK for so many years and want them to do well. But it will be an equal match against GT, who are led by a young captain and have momentum on their side. So there will be a good contest in Chennai tonight,” says Vijay.