Why MS Dhoni Would Be an Incredible Poker Pro

As cricket captains go MS Dhoni was one of the best the world has ever seen and is arguably the greatest that India has ever had the honour of being led by.

Captaining the team across multiple formats, be it One-Day, Twenty 20 or Test, Dhoni led by example, both behind the wickets with a pair of safe hands and as well as with the bat.

Time and again he refused to buckle under immense pressure and dragged the Indian team through fire and brimstone to get the victory, before zipping up a brand-new cricket bag and being chauffeur-driven off into the sunset.

With all this in mind, it is almost frightening to think of just how dynamic MS Dhoni would be at the poker table, be it online or offline.

Here are some of the reasons why all poker players should be worried if the former Indian cricket captain decides to dedicate himself to poker during his retirement.

Ruthlessness

Although he was perhaps best known for mounting rear guard fightbacks from his position in India’s middle order, Dhoni also knew how to be ruthless when a game or series necessitated it.

This was on full display back in 2007 when he partnered Mahela Jayawardene at the crease as part of an Asia XI playing against an Africa XI. His side were 2-0 up in the series, but Dhoni piled on a massive 139 to really put his opponents to the sword.

That exact mentality is what is needed at the poker table, where there can be no friends, lest they come back to haunt you later in the tournament.

Dhoni’s cricket ability inspired players all around the world, and now he could be about to do the same in poker

Steady Under Pressure

If there was one thing that Dhoni was always known for it was being unflappable during high-pressure situations, especially when his team were playing at the World Cup.

A prime example of this was when in 2011 he hit an incredible unbeaten 91 to see India chase down the daunting target of 275 set by Sri Lanka. Indians the world over went crazy when he hit the winning runs. He managed all this despite looking like he had barely broken sweat.

It is that ice running through his veins that would make Dhoni so lethal at the poker table, enabling him to keep his emotions under control no matter if he had the best possible combination unfurling in front of his eyes or nothing but a pure bluff in his hand. One thing is for sure, you would have to know your stuff in order to come close to competing with the great man.

There is no way Dhoni’s hand would be seen shaking if he were dealt a straight flush or a full house

Never Willing to Stoop Low in Order Win

You would think that with his ruthless nature and will to win that MS Dhoni would have ruffled some feathers throughout his cricket career, but thanks to some stunning shows of sportsmanship that was rarely ever the case, apart from perhaps against the Australians, but then who could blame him in that regard?

Perhaps the most amazing of these was during India’s 2011 tour of England, when Ian Bell was controversially run out having been convinced a ball he hit had gone for four, only for Dhoni to recall the batsman and ask that play continue. The move ultimately cost India dearly, but won the hearts and minds of Dhoni’s international peers.

This same kind of code of conduct is observed at the poker table too, with no one liking to be slow rolled with aces or have someone run their mouth in the chat. Dhoni would no doubt be above it all, competing on a different plain just as he has his entire life.

Decision Making Is What Separates the Greats from the Also-Rans

Ultimately, cricket and poker are all about strategy and decision making. MS Dhoni was a master at both, so were he ever to brush up on his shoving ranges and bet sizing just a little bit, he would no doubt transform into a deadly poker player.