Kuldeep Yadav reveals what happens when MS Dhoni's 300+ ODI experience goes wrong

“Pujara ko taali bajaane ke liye nahi rakha hai.” “Ball apne se ghoom raha hai. Kuch karneka nahi hai.” “Mein kya pagal hoon 300 one-day khela hoon?” MS Dhoni’s instructions and reprimands to bowlers and fielders from behind the stumps are cricket folklore. Generally, the former Indian captain’s suggestions are wise. As he said, he did not play 300 matches for nothing. However, there are times Dhoni is off the mark.

Kuldeep Yadav, the left-arm spinner and recipient of the “mein pagal hoon…” jibe, recently spoke about the conversations Dhoni has with teammates during a game. “He doesn’t say much, only gives inputs when he feels it is necessary,” said Yadav, one of the wicket-takers for India in their World Cup opener against South Africa. And if Dhoni gets things wrong, does Yadav tell him so? “Kabhi kabhi galat hota hai, par kuch bol nahi sakte,” Yadav said.