"People think it's very easy to be MS Dhoni" – CSK all-rounder's bold statement on Captain Cool after IPL 2025
In an exclusive conversation on Sports Yaari, Shreyas Gopal has made a big statement about Mahendra Singh Dhoni's captaincy and his character.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) all-rounder Shreyas Gopal praised MS Dhoni and said he feels lucky to play for CSK and share the dressing room with the legendary captain. The 31-year-old said he learned leadership and how to manage players from Dhoni. He also praised Dhoni’s smart thinking and calmness under pressure.
Gopal is now leading the Mangalore Dragons in the 2025 KSCA T20 League. Speaking at the season opener in Mysore on Tuesday (August 26), he told SportsYaari’s YouTube channel:
“It’s very hard to be MS Dhoni. People think it is very easy to be MS Dhoni. There is a lot of fame and people cheer for him, but to be him, to stay grounded, humble, kind, and caring is very hard. We must also remember he is a human being. He loves doing simple and basic things, and that is his greatness.”
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Shreyas Gopal on Learning from Dhoni
“Mainly, it’s about how to handle a player, how to use a player in a tournament, and who to give the right over to. Tactically, I had many talks with him. There is no one better than him; everyone knows that. From him, I learned captaincy, how to finish matches, and how he deals with his stardom,” Shreyas Gopal said.
Wants to Stay with CSK for IPL 2026
Shreyas Gopal said it was a dream come true to play with MS Dhoni at CSK. The Karnataka player also shared that he wants to stay with the team for IPL 2026 and requested Dhoni to play one more season. He said:
“To play with Dhoni was a dream for many of us, maybe billions. I got that chance last year, and I would love to continue for a few more years. The more he plays, the better it is for cricket. The talks and inputs we get from him in the dressing room are priceless. I feel very grateful to play for CSK and under him.”
The Super Kings bought Gopal for ₹30 lakh in the IPL 2025 mega auction. He did not get a game last season. In his IPL career, the leg-spinner has taken 52 wickets in 52 matches with an economy of 8.16. With the bat, he has scored 180 runs in 22 innings.
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