The Free Press Journal

Dhoni plays ‘Captain Cool’, deflects criticism with elan

- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

Mahendra Singh Dhoni's voice had the usual air of calm as he played down criticism and calls for his retirement from T20 Internatio­nals, saying "everybody has their own views in life".

A few former India cricketers, including Ajit Agarkar, recently raised questions about Dhoni's T20 future, creating quite a storm in the country's cricketing circles. Even former batsman VVS Laxman seemed to be on the same page as Agarkar on Dhoni's T20 career.

However, the two-time World Cup winning captain, as is his wont, seemed unperturbe­d.

"Everybody has views in life and it should be respected,"

Dhoni was in the bustling metropolis to launch his global cricket academy, inaugurati­ng the M S Dhoni Cricket Academy — his first internatio­nal academy, in associatio­n with Dubai- based Pacific Ventures

"I have always believed that process is more important than results. I never thought about results, I always thought what is the right thing to do at that point of time whether it's 10 runs needed, 14 runs needed or 5 runs needed.

"I was always so engrossed in the process that I never took the burden of thinking what if the result don't go my way."

Asked to talk about his trademark helicopter shot in front of the excited kids and their parents, Dhoni said that he would not want

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