MS Dhonione of the most respected figures in Indian cricket, has had an outstanding career as both a player and captain. Dhoni, who is known for his calm demeanor and leadership skills, generally maintains a friendly relationship with his teammates, but it has emerged that some Indian cricketers may not talk to him due to professional differences.
After the former weirdo Harbhajan Singh revealed that he no longer talks to Dhoni, here is a look at other Indian players who have had differences with MSD in the past and no longer communicate with him.
Loud taunts and heckling from players at Team India's goals in Adelaide
Gautam Gambhir
A prominent name that is often associated with this speculation is Gautam Gambhir. The explosive left-hander, who played a crucial role in India's World Cup victories in 2007 and 2011, has publicly criticized Dhoni on several occasions, particularly over decisions made in the latter stages of his captaincy. Gambhir's strong views have fueled speculation of a strained relationship.
Another point of contention for Gambhir was the perception that Dhoni is often blamed for hitting the legendary six that secured India the 2011 World Cup Victory. This has reportedly upset Gambhir, who is adamant that the victory was a collective team effort and not the result of individual brilliance.
A serious and outspoken figure in the dressing room, Gambhir has also been vocal about his displeasure over the controversial rotation policy introduced by Dhoni during the 2012 CB Series in Australia. The policy was aimed at rotating senior players such as Gambhir, Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar to make room for younger talent, including Rohit Sharma, as part of the long-term planning for the 2015 World Cup in Australia. Gambhir criticized this approach as it disrupted team balance and gave the impression that experienced players were being left out.
KL Rahul's press conference before the 2nd Test
Yuvraj Singh
Yuvraj Singh, one of India's greatest all-rounders, is also said to have had differences with Dhoni. Despite playing a key role in India's triumph at the 2011 World Cup, Yuvraj felt he did not receive adequate support in his return to international cricket after recovering from cancer.
During the Ranveer Allahbadia podcast released last year, Yuvraj revealed that his friendship with Dhoni was primarily due to cricket as otherwise they would not have become friends due to their completely different lifestyles.
Another major factor that contributed to their strained relationship was Yuvraj's father Yograj Singh, who frequently made derogatory comments about Dhoni in public and often criticized the legendary captain's decisions and leadership.
Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan Singh, one of India's greatest off-spinners with 417 wickets in 103 Tests, enjoyed tremendous success under Dhoni's captaincy, including victories in the 2007 T20 World Cup, the 2011 ODI World Cup and his stint at Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL. However, Harbhajan recently announced that he is no longer speaking to Dhoni.
While the veteran spinner chose not to elaborate on the reasons behind their differences, he did mention that their interactions during his time at CSK were limited to on-field conversations.
The former off-spinner also revealed that Dhoni did not respond to his calls, indicating a lack of communication between the two. Despite their shared successes, Harbhajan's comments suggest that their relationship has become estranged over the years.
Although these speculations have made headlines, it is important to note that none of these players have shown open hostility and such dynamics are often part of competitive sports.
