5 instances when MS Dhoni slammed journalists

Calmness is a virtue that Indian skipper MS Dhoni possesses in huge proportions. It is his ability to remain cool in tense situations, which has won him the admiration of the entire cricketing fraternity and the fans as well.

However, there have been a few rare occasions when Dhoni has lost his cool and expressed his disgust quite openly. Most of the time, it is the journalists who have faced the ire of the India's iconic wicket-keeper batsman and captain.

The most recent instance occurred at the post-match press conference of the India-Bangladesh match at the ICC T20 World Cup 2016. When a journalist tried to question India's narrow victory in the game, an irate Dhoni tore into him and gave him a piece of his mind.

Let's take a look at 5 instances when MSD slammed journalists in the past:

1. Agrees to quit captaincy if India starts to play well after that

After India's ODI series loss to Bangladesh in 2015, MS Dhoni and his team had to undergo a lot of criticism for losing to an apparently weaker team. At the post-match presentation for the 2nd ODI, questions were thrown at Dhoni on whether it was time for him to quit the limited-overs captaincy as well.

The Indian skipper took exception to this and responded by saying that he is ready to step down if it is justified that Indian cricket will start doing well immediately after that. MS Dhoni also stated that he was never in line to be the captain and even if they take it away from him, he will be happy to play for the country.

2. Blasts journalists over misuse of freedom of expression

Mahendra Singh Dhoni used the post-match press conference of the 2016 Asia Cup final as a platform to vent out his frustration on the criticism he and his team receive when they lose. Dhoni pointed out that people have freedom of expression in India and everyone has an opinion on everything.

However, according to the skipper, the problem was that cricket looked easier on television than when they play at the ground. MS Dhoni criticized the media by saying that if they take a cricketer up, they will also ensure that they bring him down and this is the reason why one should not dwell too much on their praise or criticism.

3. Loses cool due to repeated questions on his retirement

The Indian limited-overs skipper has been the target of a number of questions concerning his retirement from international cricket ever since he quit the Test format in 2014. MS Dhoni, however, has always maintained that he is not intent on quitting anytime soon.

During a press conference prior to Team India's departure for the recently concluded Asia Cup, journalists yet again queried with Dhoni regarding the same. A livid MS Dhoni was quick to remind the media that his answer to a particular question will not change in 15 days or a month.

Dhoni made his point clearer by adding that it is not right of journalists to ask all types of questions just because they have the freedom to do it.

4. Asks for suitable replacement if he is to step down as skipper

India's back-to-back overseas Test whitewashes against England and Australia had drawn a lot of flak for MS Dhoni & Co. However, speaking to the media post the 4-0 loss to the Aussies, Dhoni came to his own defence by saying that he is ready to give up the Test captaincy if there is someone who can do a better job than him.

The then Indian Test captain clarified his stand to the media by saying that captaincy does not belong to anyone and is just another added responsibility for him. Dhoni confirmed that he was trying to fit into the shoes of Indian captain and get the team to perform well. He said he was giving his 100 per cent and doing what he had always done.

5. Refuses to divulge information to media on senior player injury

It was the 2009 World Twenty20 and the media had received information about an injury to Indian opener Virender Sehwag. When they approached India's skipper MS Dhoni for a statement on the matter, he refused to let out any information and confirmed that they should wait for a press release from the BCCI.

This led to a verbal spat between Dhoni and the journalists and the Indian captain went to the extent of asking if they were blaming him of leaking stories selectively. On being asked about how he could be ignorant about a player's fitness Dhoni responded angrily and said that he is aware of Sehwag's fitness but he will not say a word about it.

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Edited by Staff Editor