Before Qualifier 1, Hardik Pandya says, "To hate MS Dhoni, you need to be...
Captain of the Gujarat Titans, Hardik Pandya, said that one needs to be a "proper devil" to have grudges against Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans line up to play Qualifier 1 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Tuesday. Pandya also falsified the myth that Dhoni, one of the most successful Indian captains, was a serious person.
In a video posted by Gujarat Titans on social media platform, Pandya says, "I'll always be a Mahendra Singh Dhoni fan, and there are so many fans out there and so many cricket lovers. You need to be a proper devil to hate Mahendra Singh Dhoni."
The turnaround Dhoni has effected from last season has once again brought the spotlight on him as CSK aim to bag their fifth IPL title after finishing second-last in 2022.
Pandya said he had learned a lot of cricket from Dhoni, not just by picking his brains but also by simply watching him in action.
Pandya further said, "A lot of people think Mahi is serious and all that. For me, I crack jokes, and I don't see him as Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Obviously, I've learned a lot of things from him, a lot of positive things, which I've learned from him just while watching, not even much talking," said Pandya, who would be aiming to retain the IPL title the team won last year by defeating Rajasthan Royals.
GT Captain Pandya also said that for him, MSD was like a brother who he could chill around with. "For me, he's just my dear friend, my dear brother, who I do pranks on, who I chill with." Gujarat Titans also posted a message describing Dhoni as a "captain, leader, legend. @msdhoni is an emotion."