Intro: Former India captain MS Dhoni says commentary demands statistical mastery and delicate judgement
New Delhi
Former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has virtually ruled out a stint in the commentary box, describing the role as a demanding and delicate job that relies heavily on statistics — an area he admits is not his strength.
The 44-year-old, who led India to three ICC titles, has largely stayed away from public cricket discussions since retiring from international cricket in 2020. His association with the game is now primarily through the Indian Premier League, where he continues to turn out for Chennai Super Kings.
Speaking during a YouTube interaction, Dhoni said commentary involves walking a very fine line between describing the game and unintentionally criticising players.
“Commentary is very difficult. There is a very thin line between describing the game and getting into a zone where you start criticising individuals,” Dhoni said. “Often, you don’t even realise that what you are saying may be borderline wrong.”
Dhoni explained that good commentary requires the skill to explain why a team is struggling without making individuals feel targeted. “If the team is losing, there are reasons behind it, and you need to describe those reasons without anybody feeling bad. That is the art of commentary,” he added.
Apart from the sensitivity involved, Dhoni said his inability to memorise statistics, including his own numbers, puts him at a disadvantage. “I’m not good with stats. There are people who know stats about players from every era. If you ask me about my own stats, I’ll have to think,” he admitted.
The former wicketkeeper-batter also spoke about his approach to advice, both in cricket and life, saying he prefers listening over speaking. “I’m a very good listener. If I don’t know about a topic, I don’t speak much because I absorb more by listening,” he said.
With a smile, Dhoni also confessed that one thing he still struggles with is phone conversations. “I like to sit across and speak to people. I’m very awkward on the phone,” he joked, adding that he is “glad” he hasn’t improved much in that department.
