March 22, 2025: England all-rounder Sam Curran has shared his thoughts on spending time with legendary Indian cricketer MS Dhoni, particularly highlighting his calm, approachable, and easy-going nature. Curran, speaking on the Sky Cricket Podcast with former England captain Nasser Hussain, praised Dhoni for his “aura” and the ease with which he connects with people, both on and off the field.
Curran recalled a recent evening when he was batting with Dhoni and fellow CSK player Ravindra Jadeja at 11:30 p.m., and how he marveled at the relaxed atmosphere despite the late hour. “The other night I was batting with MS and Jadeja… I was thinking, where in the world would you do this?” Curran reflected. “The lights were on, and we were just smacking balls everywhere. And I was thinking, but you have all the local players around the group and they just sit there and they just watch MS. It is just more the aura of the guy.”
He went on to describe Dhoni’s approach to big moments, saying, “He is so easy to chat with, and I think his calmness, I guess the big moments he’s been involved in… but he never seems to panic. I feel like the emotion on his face, he never really shows too much.”
Curran also talked about the informal side of Dhoni’s personality, sharing how he is approachable even off the field. “Even in the hotel now, the guys always talk about, he leaves his room open, guys go and play FIFA with him, chat cricket and stuff like that. He obviously can’t leave the hotel much because he just gets absolutely mobbed,” he said.
As Dhoni gears up for another IPL season with Chennai Super Kings (CSK), the 2025 season promises to be significant. CSK, under the leadership of Ruturaj Gaikwad, will aim for a sixth IPL title. Despite speculation about whether this season will mark his final appearance in the IPL, Dhoni remains an integral part of the CSK squad. Retained as an uncapped player for the 2025 season, Dhoni has been an influential figure for CSK ever since he retired from international cricket in 2020.
During the 2024 IPL season, he scored 161 runs with a remarkable strike rate of 220 and an average of 53.66 in 11 innings, showcasing his continued ability as a match-finisher. Over his IPL career, Dhoni has accumulated 5,243 runs in 264 matches, making him the sixth-highest run-getter in the tournament’s history.
As speculation about his retirement continues, Dhoni’s fans and teammates alike cherish the invaluable experience and leadership he brings to the game, both in practice sessions and in the intensity of competition.