Watch: "Take pressure off..."- Michael Hussey reflects on MS Dhoni's greatness ahead of IPL 2026

The former Australia and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) opening batter, Michael Hussey, has reflected on how MS Dhoni, the former Indian and CSK captain, used to calm down the young Indian players during his leadership stints in the early years of the Indian Premier League. Hussey outlined how Dhoni used to love taking the Fair Play Award. 

The southpaw recalled a game against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in an intense rivalry when MS Dhoni asked the players not to show their emotions much, even if the umpires don’t give the decision in their favor.

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“Dhoni's got this beautiful way of just being able to take the pressure off, and I will give you an example. We were playing this game, Chennai Super Kings versus Royal Challengers Bengaluru, a big rival match. It is at our place, and the crowd is pumping. I remember standing in the huddle, and you could see the young Indians were as nervous as anything.” Hussey expressed in a recent podcast on ‘Stick to Cricket.’

Watch: Michael Hussey outlines MS Dhoni’s love affair with ‘Fair Play Award’

Hussey also recalled being skeptical of his ploy as he trusted that the players should express themselves on the field and respond to the events. But he later realized the approach of Dhoni was right in handling the tough situation.

“Dhoni just goes, 'Boys, it does not matter if we win or lose today. Just go and enjoy, smile for the crowd. Try to execute your skills, but the most important thing is that I want to win the fair play award this year. So, if we get a wicket and the umpire gives it not out, don't argue with the umpire, just get on with the next ball. If you get out and don't think you are out, I don't want to see any arguing.” Hussey shed light in the video.

“If you get Chris Gayle out for a duck, get your shirt off and bloody swing it around. But it was not until later that I realized that he was just trying to take the pressure off these young Indian players. You could almost see the stress coming out of these Indian players. I think that is his greatest strength.” The current CSK coach concluded.