5 times when Dhoni lost his cool in International cricket

Indian Cricket has seen numerous captains who have their own style and approach on the field. MS Dhoni is one captain that Indian Cricket will remember for his boundless contribution to the team. Irrespective of the trophies won and achievements made, MS Dhoni will remain an example of how a captain should be. The reason behind this is the zero reaction he shows in his face. Hardly do we see him lose his temper on the field and get angry at the players.

Be it any condition- win by a huge margin, loss by a huge margin or a nail-biting finish, he remains calm without much fuss on his face. Fittingly, he is called Captain Cool and has managed to be the same with his composed behaviour. But, there have been some rare occasions when Dhoni lost his cool on the field.

We list five such occasions when he lost his cool in International cricket:

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#1 India vs Srilanka, 2nd T20I, 2017

The Chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav was at the receiving end of this one. Kuldeep revealed this in a recent interview. He said “Wherever I pitched the ball, it went for six. The ground was so small. After every six, I would look at Mahi (Dhoni). He would say, ‘it wasn’t that far, you should keep it further’,” The Captain suggested for a field change for which Kuldeep denied. MS Dhoni was angered and said “You think I’m mad? I’ve played 300 ODIs,”

Consequently, the field was changed. Kuldeep Yadav managed to pick a wicket after the field change. The 24-year old took 3 wickets in his 4 overs conceding 52 runs. India registered an 88 run win over the Sri Lankans. Rohit Sharma hit a 35 ball hundred in the same match.

#2 India vs Bangladesh, 1st ODI, 2015

MS Dhoni is known for being quick between the wickets. There have been very few occasions when he has gotten run out. This incident took place when Mustafizur Rahman interfered in Dhoni's path while the latter was running. It was the debut match for the left arm pacer and India was chasing a target of 308.

Mustafizur came to bowl the 25th over. During the second ball of the over, Dhoni was running a quick single. Mustafizur tried to block the single by standing in Dhoni’s way for which Dhoni had to shove him away. The bowler was injured and had to leave the field for treatment. India lost the match by 79 runs. Dhoni and Mustafizur both were fined for the inappropriate behaviour.

#3 India vs Australia, CB Series, 2012

It was the 29th over of the match, Raina was bowing to Michael Hussey. Michael Hussey was stumped by MS Dhoni. Hussey felt it was out and started on his way back to the pavilion. The 3rd umpire confirmed the same. The controversy arose when the on-field umpire Billy Bowden called the batsman back.

This angered the captain and he got into an argument with the umpire. Dhoni was seen having an animated chat with the umpires on the rarest of occasions. As it transpired, the 3rd umpire had pushed the wrong button and to make amends he had asked the on-field umpires to call the batsman back. India lost the match by 110 runs.

#4 India vs South Africa, 2nd T20I, 2018

The incident happened earlier this year. The match happened at Centurion and India was struggling in the middle overs. Dhoni and Manish Pandey rescued the team and posted a good score on the board. In the last over of the Indian inning, Manish Pandey faced the first ball and took only a single when there was a chance for an extra run.

MS Dhoni got angry as Manish Pandey’s running was sloppy. Consequently, MS Dhoni faced the remaining 5 balls and slammed 17 runs. Chasing 189, Heinrich Klassen hit a 30 ball 69 thus defeating India by 6 wickets.

#5 India vs Afghanistan, Asia Cup, 2018

Yet again, it was Kuldeep Yadav who was at the receiving end. The stand-in skipper Rohit Sharma was rested for the inconsequential match and Dhoni was given a chance to complete his 200th ODI as Captain. Mohammed Shahzad was hitting boundaries at ease and Kuldeep Yadav felt dejected. Kuldeep asked for a field change and Dhoni denied the change.

Dhoni lost his cool and asked Kuldeep “Will you continue or should I change the bowler?” Kuldeep finished with the figures of 10-0-38-2. Chasing 253, India tied the match after a brilliant comeback from Afghanistan.