MS Dhoni, the champion player and captain, is known for his calm and composed outlook on the field. He is the only captain in the cricketing history to win three ICC trophies, including the Champions Trophy, World Cup and T20i World Cup. Dhoni has captained India to become a lethal side in the international sphere. He left behind a legacy too big that Indian cricketers are finding it hard to fill his shoes. However, his stint as captain was always in the talks as many believed that he favoured a few players over others and sidelined the legends who helped him win countless games throughout his captaincy regime. Fans have often called him out on social media, and even a few Indian cricketers have come out in the press and public to show their dismay against the former Indian captain, MS Dhoni.
Here are the 7 Indian cricketers who felt backstabbed by MS Dhoni:
1- Yuvraj Singh
The on-field chemistry between Yuvi and Dhoni was one the best in the business. The duo had pulled out Indians from precarious situations many times. When Yuvi smashed six sixes, Dhoni was on the other end with him. When Dhoni struck the winning six for India in the World Cup, Yuvi was on the other end with him. The two cricketers have held massive respect for their on-field accomplishments.
Nevertheless, many fans believe that Dhoni backstabbed him during his return to the Indian side after fighting off cancer. Yuvi’s father, Yograj Singh, has publicly accused Dhoni of stealing his son’s opportunities in international cricket. Even Yuvraj himself has stated that Dhoni favoured Raina over him in the playing eleven. He has pointed out that Dhoni used to include his favourites in the games for India. Also, he believes that at the fag end of his career, he was sidelined due to BCCI politics and Dhoni.
Also Read: Top 7 Innings of Yuvraj Singh No One Can Forget
2- Virender Sehwag
Another legend of the game who did not receive the respect he deserved from the Board of Cricket Council of India. He was denied a retirement game and had to retire from the sidelines. Sehwag has blamed Dhoni for these unfortunate circumstances in his life. During an interview, Sehwag revealed that after the 2011 World Cup, Dhoni labelled him, Gambhir and Tendulkar as slow-fielders in the media without speaking about the issue with them in team meetings. He believed that the Indian skipper was secretly harbouring beef against the trio. After his statement, Dhoni started rotating them in the playing eleven, a highly criticised move by the Indian fans.
3- Gautam Gambhir
The tension between Gautam Gambhir and MS Dhoni is visible to every cricket fan. Gambhir, the hero for India in both World Cup-winning finals, has said on record that MS Dhoni was a biased captain. He was the first one to blatantly say to the media that the Indian skipper clearly had problems with him. He highlighted the same press conference in which Dhoni called the trio of Gambhir, Sehwag and Tendulkar slow fielders. Many fans still believe that Gambhir should have been awarded the player of the match award in the 2011 World Cup final as his knock came in more challenging circumstances.
Also Read: 9 Unforgettable Moments In Indian Cricket History
4- Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan Singh, the legendary off-spinner for India, is admittingly a fan of Dhoni’s tactics on the cricketing field. But he completely loathed the politics and conspiracy by BCCI to remove him from the Indian side. Bhajji has said on camera that he was omitted from the Indian squad without giving him any clear reasons. He went to Dhoni to ask reasons for the same, but the Indian skipper refrained from giving any answers. At last, Bhajji realised that it would not make any difference as the former Indian captain had already decided to throw him out of the national side. Finally, Harbhajan Singh silently retired and started his career in the com-box as he became one of the Indian cricketers destroyed by MS Dhoni.
5- Irfan Pathan
The beloved bowling all-rounder was a match-winner for India in all formats of the game. He had a splendid start to his career as he was rated as one of the best swing bowlers of his generation who could also play a handy knock. Pathan’s hattrick in the first over against Pakistan in a Test was a memorable moment in Indian cricket history. However, Irfan was denied the respect he really deserved. In the last ODI that he played for India, he took a fifer to guide his team to the victory against Sri Lanka. Even then, his contribution to the team was neglected, and the all-rounder was ignored by the selectors supposedly due to Dhoni, who ended his career at the young of 28.
6- Sachin Tendulkar
The master blaster, Sachin Tendulkar, also suffered due to Dhoni’s internal politics in the Indian national team. It is believed that the Little Master decided to retire from ODIs after he was ignored by the selectors for the series against Pakistan. Sachin constantly put in good performances before that game and contributed highly to the success of the team. However, Dhoni demanded that Sachin should make way for the upcoming generation. An opinion which ultimately led to the retirement of the God of Cricket from ODIs. Fans have rebuked Dhoni for disrespecting the legend who brought cricket to the forefront in India.
7- Ajit Agarkar
Ajit Agarkar, the third-highest wicket-taker for India in ODIs, returned even before turning 30. He was going through his peak when suddenly his career went downhill. The selectors ignored him, and the former Indian skipper was clearly not a fan of him as he was robbed of any chances to make it to the Indian squad even after performing exceptionally in the domestic circuit. No one even remembers when Agarkar bid his farewell to the game as he was left to rot in the domestic sphere forever by the Board and MS Dhoni.
Also Read: 6 Instances When MS Dhoni Tricked The Opposition