MS Dhoni Says He Never Expected to Play for India While Growing Up in Ranchi; Talks About Life Lessons and...

In a candid episode of Raj Shamani’s podcast, former India captain MS Dhoni opened up about his modest beginnings and the unexpected journey that led him to represent India on the world stage.

“I Never Thought I’ll Play for the Country,” Dhoni Admits

Dhoni, who was born on July 7, 1981, in Ranchi, Bihar (now Jharkhand), revealed that he never thought someone from his background would make it to the Indian team.

“I never thought I’ll play for the country. Because coming from Ranchi, I used to play for Bihar. Then the new state was formed — it became Jharkhand. We didn’t have a history of too many cricketers coming up and playing for India. So at a very early stage, especially during school, we didn’t think of playing for the country,” Dhoni shared.

From Football Goalkeeper to Cricket Wicketkeeper

Dhoni recalled his early days when he leaned more towards football. His transformation into a cricketer began when a school coach saw his reflexes as a goalkeeper and recommended he try wicketkeeping. This led him to join the Commando Cricket Club from 1995 to 1998.

Childhood Memories and Constant Competition

Dhoni fondly remembered playing tennis-ball cricket and always competing against players much older than him.

“Earlier, I was very small and thin. We used to always play with people who were 3-4 years older than us. So there was always competition. Playing for India felt too far-fetched back then. But doing good and contributing was important,” he said.

A Life Lesson on Trust and Relationships

Dhoni also spoke about life, people, and trust during the podcast. His words reflected the same calm, grounded nature that defined his cricketing career.

“In life, you’ll meet some good people, some bad people. The important thing is, if someone betrays your trust, it’s not like you stop trusting everyone. You move on. You find those few people that become part of your life and make you happy,” Dhoni said, offering a heartfelt reflection on human relationships.

MS Dhoni’s journey from the streets of Ranchi to global cricketing stardom continues to inspire millions, not just for his achievements but also for his grounded outlook and wisdom off the field.

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