'That struck me hard' - Narayan Jagadeesan shares life-changing advice from MS Dhoni from CSK days [Exclusive Interview]

Narayan Jagadeesan is one of the lucky players to have shared the dressing room with MS Dhoni, being a part of the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League previously. However, luck isn’t the sole factor behind his stint in the IPL or several India tours he has been a part of since the truckloads of runs he gets there have made him hard to ignore for the selectors and scouts.

Hailing from Tamil Nadu, being a part of the Chennai-based franchise was never going to be too uncomfortable for Jagadeesan. However, during a recent interaction with CricTracker, the wicketkeeper-batter was raw and honest on how his first interaction with Dhoni in the dressing room was when he became part of the five-time champion franchise. He also shared advice he received from the legendary stumper.

Excerpts from the interview

Before you were released, did MS Dhoni or anyone from the CSK team management personally reach out to you – a call, a message, anything?

"No one in particular; nobody called me and said that I'm going to be released. But the fun part about this was I got picked for KKR the next year. And we played a game against CSK. And after the game, it was Mahi bhai who actually took me to the dressing room. And he sat with me and he spoke with me for about 25 minutes.

And he was explaining 'We were going to release you because you've been with us for five years. And we haven't given you a lot of opportunities. The idea behind us releasing you was that, even though you were going to be with CSK, I didn't see a lot of opportunities coming your way. So, we just thought that if you were going for another team, it could be better for you. 'And if nobody had picked you, I think I would have re-picked you in CSK.' This is what he told me, which was very heartwarming.

And, coming from a guy like MS Dhoni, who was something really good. And he took his time, and he told me about this. So, at that point, there was no communication. But during the IPL, when I met him, he sat with me and he literally told me the same thing."

When MS Dhoni spoke about youngsters needing to show more 'spark', did that comment ever feel like it was aimed at players like you?

"Not really. Because, I think, at that point in time, it was only me and Ruturaj in the team. And it was not personal, to be honest, you know. It was only the way social media portrayed it. And other than that, I feel, things were very normal. And it felt the same always in the dressing room, and there was nothing directed towards us. And truth be told, it is also a franchise where they don't give you a lot of pressure, especially when you come in as a youngster. It was Ruturaj Gaikwad and I, and we had hardly played about like 2-3 matches. So, it was definitely not meant that way, is what I can say."

Did you receive any advice from MS Dhoni that stays with you till now?

"I mean, there is a lot to be honest, you know. It is about, reading the situations, to be honest. He is someone who has actually spoken a lot and he has also told me about how important it is for one to read the situations. And that is something which I am actually keen on. And it is just about the preparation, like I said, you know. Doing what you need to be doing in the games is what you need to replicate in the net session as well. So, your net sessions become as important as your match, if not more. That's something which actually struck me hard."