MS Dhoni’s name is almost synonymous with cool-headed leadership, turning high-pressure moments into masterclasses on the field. But here’s a twist: even India’s most celebrated skipper has had days when he wasn’t in charge. And I’m not talking about big names like Ganguly, Dravid, or Kohli—Dhoni has also played under lesser-known leaders like Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, and Rohan Gavaskar. Let’s take a look at five surprising cricketers who once captained “Captain Cool”!

 

Ajinkya Rahane

 

Not Always Thala: Dhoni’s Rare Days Under Different Captains MS Dhoni under captaincy Ajinkya Rahane

 

Ajinkya Rahane has been praised for his calm demeanor and old-fashioned method of batting, but in 2017, he had the rare opportunity of captaining a side that had Dhoni on it. When Steve Smith was forced to sit out, Ajinkya Rahane stepped into the leadership spotlight for the Pune Supergiants against the Delhi Capitals. Now, Rahane led Dhoni, who had captained the franchise the previous season. The irony was that neither batsman got a run, even more so that Pune lost badly in the match, but it serves as a nifty footnote, as even a player of Dhoni’s stature sometimes just has to follow the plan.

 

Suresh Raina

 

Not Always Thala: Dhoni’s Rare Days Under Different Captains MS Dhoni under captaincy Suresh Raina

 

There are scarcely any IPL pairs like Dhoni and Raina at the Chennai Super Kings. The duo is lovingly nicknamed Thala and Chinna Thala by their legion of supporters. But on this occasion, in the 2012 Champions League T20, their positions switched! In a dead-rubber clash with Yorkshire, Dhoni slotted into the middle order and fired off a rapid 31, while Raina steered CSK to victory. A unique moment in Dhoni’s career!

 

Varun Aaron

 

Not Always Thala: Dhoni’s Rare Days Under Different Captains MS Dhoni under captaincy Varun Aaron

 

This one might even take the most hardcore fans back a step. During the 2015 Vijay Hazare Trophy, Dhoni made a comeback to domestic cricket, donning the Jharkhand jersey once again. Can you imagine that? A World Cup-winning captain of India, leading under a young, fast bowler! Although Dhoni did not have the best of tournaments the the quarter-final against Delhi was equally big for him, as he had a great, unbeaten 70. The team did not go on from there, but I think the image of Dhoni quietly playing cricket under the leadership of Aaron is a game-changer!

 

Devang Gandhi

 

Not Always Thala: Dhoni’s Rare Days Under Different Captains MS Dhoni under captaincy Devang Gandhi

 

In the Deodhar Trophy 2003/04, Devang Gandhi, an ex-India opener, led the East Zone with Dhoni starting upfront as an opening bat. Dhoni was the leading run scorer in the tournament with 244 runs at a good average, earning him a place on the national team even later that season. While Gandhi’s time in charge with Dhoni was not very spectacular, the following notion was already established: the cricketing world was about to meet the aggressive, reckless, fearless batter he presents to all of us now.

 

The storied achievements of MS Dhoni’s captaincy are quite widely known, but this is also a reminder that cricket is full of quirks – even the greatest leader in Indian cricket history had days where, like anyone else in the eleven, he too was a bloke simply following instructions. 

 

FAQs 

 

  1. Did Dhoni ever play under Ajinkya Rahane?

Yes,  in the 2017 IPL, Steve Smith was out, so Rising Pune Supergiant had to show their teeth.

 

  1. Which domestic tournament did Dhoni play under Devang Gandhi?

The 2003/04 Deodhar Trophy for East Zone.

 

  1. Did Dhoni ever play under Varun Aaron?

Yes, during the 2015 Vijay Hazare Trophy for Jharkhand.