Former India captain MS Dhoni is often celebrated as “Captain Cool” for his calmness on the field, but his off-field habits are now making headlines too. After Manoj Tiwary hinted earlier about Dhoni’s reluctance to take calls, Gujarat Titans’ left-arm spinner Sai Kishore has revealed fresh insights into how Dhoni stays disconnected to maintain his mental clarity.
Kishore, who was part of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) under Dhoni’s captaincy, recently shared that the legendary skipper would rarely pick up his phone and often left it behind in his hotel room before matches.
“I learnt this from MS Dhoni. He never carried his phone to games — he used to leave it in the room. That’s how detached he stayed. It made me ask myself if staying glued to social media was even necessary. Watching him inspired me to rethink balance in life,” Kishore said in an interview.
Although Sai Kishore didn’t get to play an IPL match during his two seasons with CSK, he insists that his time with Dhoni’s team shaped his mindset and approach to cricket.
Bought by CSK for ₹20 lakh in 2020, Kishore absorbed lessons on discipline, detachment, and focus. Later, his switch to Gujarat Titans in 2022 for a hefty ₹3 crore kick-started his rise as a frontline spinner.
Since then, Kishore has impressed with 32 wickets in 25 IPL matches, showing versatility in both the powerplay and middle overs, while maintaining an economy rate under 9 in an era dominated by aggressive batting.
Dhoni’s ability to influence players without saying much is what continues to set him apart. From leaving behind his phone to staying away from social media noise, his actions have become subtle life lessons for younger cricketers.
For Kishore, those years of quiet observation at CSK have turned into strong foundations that now fuel his performances with Gujarat Titans. It’s yet another example of how Dhoni’s leadership extends far beyond the cricket field.
