Current Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjiv Goenka was closely associated with MS Dhoni during IPL 2016 and 2017. After Chennai Super Kings were suspended for two years, the legendary cricketer switched to Rising Pune Supergiants, which was in effect for those two seasons in the cash-rich league. After signing Dhoni in the draft, the franchise handed him the captaincy baton but eventually, Pune removed him from the leadership role after just one year.
Reports sparked in the media about a possible rift between Dhoni and Goenka but neither of the two commented on the matter. Recently, the Kolkata-based businessman opened up and clarified that he had a conversation with Dhoni before he was sacked as captain and noted that both of them came to the same conclusion. However, Goenka still has massive respect for the Ranchi-born cricketer and stated that he has never seen a leader like him.
He shared stories of his personal experience with Dhoni and mentioned that the keeper-batter had a long chat with his grandson, even when he didn’t necessarily had to. Goenla also gave credit to the cricketer for grooming talents such as Matheesha Pathirana and highlighted that Lucknow turns yellow everytime Dhoni features in the IPL.
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“You look at MS Dhoni, I have never seen a leader like him. His thinking and way of approach, how a person at his age can reinvent himself. Look at Pathirana, he is a young bowler, Dhoni groomed him to be a lethal matchwinner. He knows how to use his players when and he thinks accordingly. Whenever I interact with him, I get to learn something,” Sanjiv Goenka said in the TRS Podcast.
Watch the video below:
Sanjiv Goenka – “I’ve never seen a leader like MS Dhoni ” pic.twitter.com/lECFFC2uBE
— . (@Devx_07) December 12, 2024
“I have an 11-year-old grandson who is crazy about cricket. Dhoni in my home taught him how to play cricket, some 5-6 years ago. He constantly asked him questions and I told my grandson ‘Leave him now’. Dhoni replied ‘Let it be, I am enjoying this conversation’. Dhoni went on to have a conversation with him for half an hour. It makes you learn that is why he is Dhoni. Whenever he plays against Lucknow, the entire stadium is filled with yellow to support him,” Goenka concluded.
Meanwhile, Dhoni will be donning the yellow kit again in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League 2025. He was retained for INR 4 crore ahead of the mega-auction.
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