Dhoni Was Compared To Gary Sobers Even Before Making India Debut; Karthik Reveals

It is one thing to be called an upcoming sensation in the cricketing world. But to be straightaway compared to a legend, when you have not even made your international debut, speaks volumes about the kind of talent the individual possesses. 

This was the case with MS Dhoni. After he first played for India A in a triangular series on the tour of Kenya in 2005, people started comparing him to West Indies legend Gary Sobers. The comparison was not for captaincy skills as Dhoni had yet not become captain of a major team. 

Narrating the incident that created the comparison, another former India wicketkeeper and contemporary of Dhoni, Dinesh Karthik said, “I hadn’t seen him play much but during that A series in Kenya, everyone was talking about one player, because he brought something new.”

"The power with which he hit the ball was something people said they hadn’t seen before. Some were even comparing him to Gary Sobers, known for those massive sixes,” Karthik added in his conversation with India Today. 

Because of Dhoni’s ability to hit the ball hard, he was soon fast forwarded to the national set up to loosen the burden on Rahul Dravid as make-shift wicketkeeper. But this happened, not before Karthik was tried in that role. 

"The team started looking for a proper wicketkeeper. I stepped in briefly like a guest appearance in a movie but the lead role was always meant for Dhoni. Once Dhoni was handed the gloves, he didn’t just impress Indian selectors, but quickly became a sensation on the international stage,” Karthik said about his role in Dhoni’s story. 

While Karthik retired from IPL in 2024, Dhoni is still playing and leading the Chennai Super Kings.