I do not joke around, says MS Dhoni in response to Suresh Raina's comments

England v India: 3rd npower Test - Day Three

What's the story?

Former Indian cricket team captain MS Dhoni responded to teammate Suresh Raina's comments regarding the former's nature on the field.

Dhoni, who was accused of not being "Captain Cool" responded by saying that he does not joke around during a match.

“There are many zones in the middle of it where you enjoy and make fun. Once (I am playing) in the ground, I do not joke around, but inside the dressing room, I enjoy a lot. I conduct myself according to how I think I should conduct myself in different areas,” said Dhoni at an event organised by Indian Army in North Kashmir.

In case you didn't know...

Raina had spoken about Dhoni's nature on the field on the popular talk show 'Breakfast with Champions' which is hosted by Gaurav Kapur.

He had spoken about how Dhoni gets angry on the field and how the cameras never really pick it up.

The details:

Raina and Dhoni have played an awful lot together, for the Indian cricket team, and in the Indian Premier League for the Chennai Super Kings.

The two share a great camaraderie between themselves and have a lot of respect for each other.

At the event organised by the Indian Army, Dhoni also went on to speak about the possibility of a bilateral series against Pakistan by saying that the decision should be made by the government since there are a lot of political concerns.

What's next?

Dhoni will don the Indian blue once again when India take on Sri Lanka in three ODIs which begins on 10 December.

Author's take:

Raina's comments might have come across as a surprise to fans who thought of Dhoni as someone who does not get too angry.

However, the respect Dhoni has earned from his teammates over the years goes to show that his decisions and attitude on the field is respected by everyone.