Danny Morrison recalls banters with MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli in IPL

When the Indian Premier League (IPL) was played in the UAE due to Covid restrictions in India, the speculations of whether MS Dhoni's career will come to an end in behind closed-door affairs was a serious concern to many fans around the world. When asked about it in Abu Dhabi, Dhoni said, "Definitely not," and that instantly became iconic. 

The man who asked that question to Dhoni was renowned commentator Danny Morrisson, who perhaps did not understand the magnitude of that reply at that point. "The first time I did it was a little mellow. It was during Covid when I asked him that in Abu Dhabi," Morrison recalled on Cricket.com's 'Unwind.'

"There was still a bit of crowd, but obviously, it was not that rowdy. The following year, it was almost like this theme every time I ran into him. And then last year and it went off. So, I turned to the crowd and said he's coming back next year. It was obviously a play on it and a lot of fun. I asked him the last time. I said, 'hey look, let's have bit of fun with this. I am obviously going to ask you this. I love a dry deadpan. 'Well, no, you're telling me. Is this my last year?' So, we had lots of fun and he was dry and very good about it."

Morisson also recalled a match under the hot Chennai sun when Dhoni brought a tray of orange juice for him and joked that his butler was in the house.

"We had a couple of seats and I got him to come out with a tray of orange juice. We had a couple of cheerleaders with the brollies, waving big wallows, keeping us cool. It was an afternoon game, we were drenched with sweat. So, MS has come out. We had organised it. My producer said, let's have some fun with it. You two get on there's a great banter between you and MSD. He brought me a tray of juice. I said, "oh yeah, my butler is in the house. So, we sat in chairs on pitch side," Morisson said. 

"So, there was a whole connection of Bollywood and cricket marriage which suited me with sport and film together. So, I played on that and all the execs and bosses loved that. Virat Kohli is no longer captain, now you have Faf and you'd have Ruturaj. So, I'd be like, 'Hang on a minute, where's my Butler? Has he pulled a hammy?'

"He'll be sadly missed but people are also going to be grateful squeezed out of that frame and played for as long as he has. It's a bonus that everyone see him for another season."

The 58-year-old has also had the opportunity to be up close with some of the game's greats, especially at the toss during IPL games. Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai Indians (MI) have won five IPL titles, while Virat Kohli's Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have failed to clinch it in the 17 seasons so far. Morisson revealed he would use that at the toss to lighten the mood.

"I haven't been too cheeky about it. If you have done a toss with Rohit Sharma. So, the boys in blue vs the red army of RCB. I can't remember if I did one of those tosses with him, but I said I might just have a bit of banter with you. He's won five titles and VK none. And Virat will be like, thank you, Danny. Thank you for reminding me. Sometimes I plant a bit of that," the former Black Caps all-rounder said.

"I think it was a playoff game and I leaned forward and touched him on the neck, and went, just checking the adrenaline brother. You ready for this one and have that sort of interaction with them and they allowed me because they love the fun. I think it's good fun."

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