MS Dhoni’s well-known aversion to phones has once again been brought to light by a former teammate. His remarkable detachment from social media continues to be a hot topic in cricket circles, inspiring many with his disciplined approach.
The dynamic world of the Indian Premier League often clashes with MS Dhoni’s unwavering leadership style. His core philosophy revolves around sticking to the fundamentals, emphasizing a strong process, and maximizing control over factors within his influence. These foundational principles are what have cemented his reputation as one of cricket’s most accomplished leaders.
Dhoni’s influence is clearly visible in the transformed careers at Chennai Super Kings and how young players under his mentorship have thrived, even if their major successes came with other franchises. His impact extends to his meticulous team selection, strategic field placements, and his ability to establish clear guidelines that empower players to perform effectively.
R Sai Kishore began his IPL journey with CSK in 2020, signed at his base price of ₹20 lakh. Despite spending two seasons with the squad, he didn’t feature in any matches. However, in 2022, Gujarat Titans brought him on board for ₹3 crore, a move that would prove pivotal for his career.
In a recent interview on Provoke TV, Sai Kishore offered a fascinating glimpse into Dhoni’s disciplined relationship with technology.
“I have learned so much from MS Dhoni regarding this. He would never pick up his phone. He used to leave his phone in his hotel room and come for the games. That’s how detached he would be. This truly inspired me, prompting me to question whether constant social media engagement was truly necessary. Seeing his example was incredibly motivating,” Sai recounted.
This insight underscores how Dhoni maintains his unparalleled focus by deliberately disengaging from digital distractions, a powerful lesson in today’s hyper-connected world.
After his initial tenure at CSK without playing a game, Sai Kishore has since emerged as one of India’s premier T20 spinners with the Gujarat Titans. He has participated in 25 matches, securing an impressive 32 wickets.
Kishore’s strength lies in his versatility as a spinner, demonstrating effectiveness both during the powerplay and middle overs. Even in an era increasingly dominated by aggressive batting, especially with the ‘impact player’ rule, he has maintained a solid economy rate of approximately 8.85 while consistently taking crucial wickets.