Indian chess prodigy and reigning world chess champion, D Gukesh, has openly credited legendary cricketer MS Dhoni as the athlete he looked up to during his formative years. This admiration is not just a fleeting childhood fancy but a deep-rooted influence that has shaped Gukesh’s approach to chess, especially in handling high-pressure situations.
In this article, we explore the reasons behind Gukesh’s admiration for Dhoni, how this inspiration has influenced his career, and why Dhoni remains an emotional icon for young athletes across India.
Why Did Gukesh D Pick MS Dhoni as His Idol?
Gukesh D, despite being a chess player, found his sporting idol in MS Dhoni, a cricketer renowned for his calm demeanor and ability to thrive under pressure. Gukesh has repeatedly stated in interviews that Dhoni’s unshakable composure in tense moments inspired him to develop a similar mindset for chess. He grew up watching Dhoni lead the Indian cricket team, especially during high-stakes matches, and was deeply influenced by Dhoni’s ability to keep a clear head and make smart decisions when it mattered most.
“MS Dhoni is one sportsman I admire. To this day, he is the one. How does he not react to anything that happens? How can he calmly think in any situation? In the highest-pressure moments, he can think with a clear mind. I grew up watching that. It felt like I had to emulate it in my craft.” — D Gukesh
How Did Dhoni’s Influence Shape Gukesh’s Chess Career?
Gukesh’s admiration for Dhoni is not just about fandom; it has practical implications for his chess career. Chess, like cricket, demands mental strength, especially during critical moments in tournaments. Gukesh has credited Dhoni’s example for teaching him how to stay calm and composed, attributes that have become his trademark during intense matches. This approach was particularly evident during the Candidates Tournament finale, where Gukesh maintained Dhoni-like calmness to outlast his opponents.
Gukesh also worked with Paddy Upton, the mental conditioning coach who was part of India’s 2011 World Cup-winning cricket team under Dhoni. Upton’s strategies, which once helped Dhoni’s team handle pressure, were adapted to help Gukesh prepare mentally for the World Chess Championship, further cementing Dhoni’s indirect influence on his chess journey.
Where Did Gukesh Express His Admiration for Dhoni?
Gukesh has spoken about his admiration for Dhoni in multiple interviews and public appearances:
- Media Interactions at Chepauk (Chennai): Gukesh discussed how he grew up watching Dhoni play for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), making the connection even more personal as both hail from Chennai.
- Interviews with Sports Channels: On the CSK YouTube Channel and in conversations with sports journalists, Gukesh has repeatedly mentioned Dhoni as his first sporting idol, even before chess legend Viswanathan Anand.
- RevSportz Interview: Gukesh recalled watching Dhoni’s iconic 2011 World Cup-winning six as a five-year-old, describing it as a defining moment that made Dhoni an “emotion” for kids in India, especially those from Chennai.
How Has This Admiration Helped Gukesh Achieve Success?
- Mental Strength: Dhoni’s example taught Gukesh the importance of mental resilience, which is crucial in chess, where psychological battles are often as important as the moves on the board.
- Handling Pressure: Gukesh’s ability to remain unflustered, even when facing the world’s best players, mirrors Dhoni’s legendary calmness during cricket’s most nerve-wracking moments.
- Strategic Thinking: Drawing from Dhoni’s clear-headed decision-making, Gukesh has developed a reputation for making smart, calculated moves under pressure.
Gukesh D’s Sporting Inspirations: Beyond Dhoni
While MS Dhoni was Gukesh’s initial sports idol, over the course of his career, he has also been inspired by other sportspeople. In recent interviews, Gukesh revealed Novak Djokovic, the tennis legend, as another sportsperson he looks up to, especially for Djokovic’s resilience and pressure-handling skills. However, Dhoni is still his childhood hero and the one who taught him the foundation for his mental game in sports.
Also Read: Why Did Virat Kohli Stop Talking to AB de Villiers for Months?
Conclusion
The story of becoming the youngest world chess champion of Gukesh D, the child who grew up a chess-fascinated kid in Chennai, can be summarised as full of skill and hard work, and the appropriate role model. In romanticizing MS Dhoni, Gukesh has incorporated the qualities of calmness, mental strength, and strategic mind, which have made him an international champion.
The backing of Dhoni on Gukesh can only prove the iconoclastic capability of sports superstars in motivating people not only in the fields they play but also to people belonging to different ages and walks of life, and thus transforming Dhoni into not only a cricketing god but an icon of all Indian adolescents.
