It’s his birthday. Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The man. The myth. The legend.
Since 2004 when he made his ODI debut, Dhoni has displayed a serenity and assurance that are quite uncommon to witness in the blue of the Indian cricket team’s uniform.
Mahi (as he is affectionately known) would go on to become the most influential captain and one of the most significant sportsmen in the history of Indian cricket, with his then trademark slicked-back, shoulder-length hair.
However, how did he achieve it?
Was he born with talent, or did he have grit? Did the Gods provide him mysteriously the skills he needed to excel in the gentleman’s game? What is the secret behind Captain Cool’s enduring success?
Former Head Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Indian National Cricket Team Basu Shanker discussed the techniques behind Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s enduring fitness with TRS host Ranveer Allahbadia.
Gifted
Shanker claims that Dhoni is extraordinarily muscular and strong by nature.
He references to this genetic characteristic of the Pahadi (From The Hills) star. He even said that MS and other cricketers from the country’s hilly regions, such as Rishabh Pant, Pawan Negi, and Anuj Rawat, are tougher than their counterparts from the continent.
Other sports
Despite having established his reputation as dominating the cricket surface, MS Dhoni also enjoys playing football occasionally. Indeed, according to Basu Shanker, “I’ve seen MS play football, his shots tend to sting. He’s got some punch.”
Avoiding Fatigue Through Recovery
Dhoni has had a long and illustrious career, so it is obvious that he is aware of what it takes to not just get to the top but also to stay there.
The former national team fitness coach claimed that Dhoni pays particular attention to his recovery between matches, ensuring he doesn’t overtrain himself to exhaustion while disclaiming any impact on the athlete’s programme.
Practice makes perfect
Dhoni is well known for his prowess with a willow. But did you know that his commitment to practising his batting has a lot to do with it?
Shanker revealed in the podcast that Dhoni practises his bat form frequently. He claimed that the former Indian captain was frequently seen honing his batting approach. This demonstrates that, despite being one of the greatest athletes in the world and a master of his craft, Dhoni continued to hone his abilities.
Razor sharp focus
Even for professional players, playing cricket constantly may get boring very quickly.
You can probably start to understand why they’d want to tune out of the world of cricket during their off-season once you consider the strict lifestyle that they must maintain in order to be good at what they do. Many athletes use the break between sporting seasons as a chance to let off some steam.
But according to Shanker, Dhoni frequently stayed in touch with him throughout the off-season as well, keeping track of his fitness. On top of his game all the time.
The man with the plan
MS is a fitness enthusiast who adheres to a strict strength and conditioning regimen. Shanker didn’t interfere with the training schedule of his top athlete. He appreciated Dhoni’s wisdom and understanding of his own body because those things were something he had acquired over time.
Additionally, he selects workouts that helped him build stronger bones and enhance both his cardiovascular and muscular endurance. He exercised using the V-grip pull-down, dumbbell chest press, machine chest press, one-leg deadlifts, and numerous lunge variations for the same purpose. He also enjoys running a lot.
Diet
MS Dhoni’s eating habits have evolved over time. He was aware of the changes his physique underwent as he grew older.
“You cannot do the same things and expect different results,” the statement reads. Food preferences have evolved, yes. Butter chicken, naan, and milkshakes with tonnes of candies and soft beverages used to be the standard menu when I made my debut. The milkshake and the chocolate stopped being good once I turned 28. All the nutritious meals arrived after (I stopped playing) Test cricket. All of those items—the bread and the kebabs—arrived.
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Did you cry? Because we cannot stop sobbing 🙁
We miss you Mahi, please come back, also, Happy birthday! <3
