‘Don’t give me any advice until I ask you’ – Ex-coach recalls first interaction with MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni has been one of the friendliest and calm personalities while dealing with players and coaches. Whichever player or coach has worked with Dhoni, he has always spoken highly about the former India skipper. Meanwhile, when Chennai was suspended from the ITL for seasons 2016 and 2017, the former Chennai skipper led the now-defunct Pune side in 2016.

The team hired Stephen Fleming as the head coach and Prasanna Agoram as a performance analyst coach. Recalling his first interaction with Dhoni, Agoram said that Dhoni asked him to not give him any advice unless he asks for him.

“When I had the opportunity to work with Mahendra Singh Dhoni for Pune Super Giants in IPL 2016, the first day we met he said, ‘Let’s have a chat.’ We were in the Pune Stadium and he was about to put his pads on. He asked if he could get me a filter coffee. ‘Yes please,’ I replied. He called the guys there and gave a wink to get a filter coffee, and then continued chatting with me,” Agoram was quoted by Times now.

“Look, I know you have a lot of experience in this field and that players like you, and the coach Stephen Fleming got you on board. It’s a pleasure to work with you,” he added. “Give all the info and strategies to the coach and the players. Get the strategy meetings done with the players along with the coach, but don’t expect me to be there and also don’t give me any advice until I ask you. But mark a copy on the email on all your communications with the coach and players,” he added.

Meanwhile, Pune had a forgettable year in 2016. They could only win five out of their 14 games and finished at the seventh spot. Dhoni was removed as skipper by the franchise and the team was led by Steve Smith. The team went on to play the final.