In the commentary box, former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni all but ruled out the popular post-retirement avenue as a difficult balancing act, while also explaining why he prefers to avoid using his phone.
Now 44, Dhoni, under whose leadership India won three ICC titleshas largely avoided sharing his views on the game since his retirement from international cricket in 2020. His involvement in the sport has been limited to the Indian Premier League, where he continues to play for the Chennai Super Kings.
“Commentating is very difficult,” Dhoni said during a YouTube interaction with sportscaster Jatin Sapru. “I feel like there’s a very fine line between describing a game and, in the process, getting into a zone where you start criticizing the individuals playing the game. It’s a very fine line.”
“Often you don’t even feel that what you’re doing could be on the verge of being wrong. You always want to be on the other side where you’re describing the game. If you feel like something is wrong, say so.”
Dhoni explained that effective commentary requires restraint and empathy, especially when teams are struggling. “How to say it is also an art, how to present it politely where no one feels targeted. If a team is losing, there are reasons behind it and you have to be able to describe those reasons without making anyone feel bad. That’s the art of commentating,” he said.
Apart from the sensitivity involved, Dhoni feels that his limited affinity for numbers would put him at a disadvantage in the box. “I’m not good with statistics,” he said. “There are a lot of people who are very good at statistics. They know the statistics. If you ask me about my statistics, I’ll be like ‘hmm’. There are certain people who know the statistics not just about the Indian team or the Indian players, but about everyone throughout the era.”
NOT GREAT WITH PHONES
Known for his calm decision-making during playing days, Dhoni was also asked if he ever needed advice on cricket or life. He said he rarely sought it out, mainly because of his tendency to listen more than talk.
“I’m a very good listener. Yes, I talk to people I’m comfortable with. But I’m more of a listener than a talker. And if I don’t know the topic, I don’t talk much because if I listen, I absorb more,” he said.
“I never feel compelled to contribute when I don’t know. To be a good listener, you don’t always have to look for advice. It’s constantly floating around just with certain people you’re talking to. You have to have that intelligence to find out what works best for you,” he added.
Dhoni also admitted with a smile that one aspect of communication still doesn’t come easy to him. “I’m not good at that kind of communication. I like to sit across the street and talk to people. I’m not someone who’s very good on the phone because I can’t see faces. So I’m a very awkward guy when it comes to talking on the phone,” he joked.
“That’s something I want to improve, but I’m glad I didn’t improve,” Dhoni said, offering a typically low-key insight into his personality.
– The end
Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
February 4, 2026
