'Nobody gives you discount for age' - MS Dhoni underscores non-negotiable necessity of playing professional cricket

Fitness is indispensable in cricket, playing a pivotal role in every player's performance on the field. Likewise, there exist only a handful of cricketers who rival the remarkable fitness of former Indian captain, MS Dhoni. His fitness levels have been akin to fine wine, improving with age and never showing signs of decline. His enduring stamina and agility have defied conventional expectations, allowing him to maintain peak performance throughout his illustrious career.

Recently, MS Dhoni discussed the arduous task of staying fit, pinpointing the most challenging aspect as gearing up for the IPL season. As someone not engaged in cricket throughout the year, he admitted to finding it daunting to keep pace with the younger players within his team and those from other franchises, who remain actively involved in international cricket, maintaining peak fitness levels consistently. 

He underscored the unforgiving nature of professional sport, stressing that age offers no leniency and doesn't afford any comfort zone. Additionally, he emphasized that advancing years don't provide a cushion or any form of relaxation when it comes to maintaining performance standards. Amidst the pervasive influence of social media, Dhoni expressed thankfulness for steering clear of these platforms, enabling him to concentrate fully on his objectives devoid of distractions. Moreover, he highlighted the significance of disciplined dietary choices and consistent training regimens in upholding his fitness levels. 

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"The toughest thing is, I am not playing cricket throughout the year. So, I have to be fit. Once I come, you are competing against youngsters who are fit and playing international cricket. Professional sport is not easy, nobody gives you a discount for age. If you want to play, you have to be as fit as the other guy. Age does not really give that grace to you. So, eating habits, a bit of training, and all those things are there. Social media, thankfully, I am not on social media, so there's less distraction," shared Dhoni in a video on the YouTube Channel of Dubai Eye 103.8.

These things de-stress me: Dhoni

The revolutionary campaigner, who played his last game for India in 2019 and officially hung up his boots in 2020, opened up that after quitting international cricket, he wanted to spend quality time with his family. However, at the same time, to stay focused, he would indulge in farming and being around his diverse collection of motorbikes, as well as his newly-found interest in vintage cars, which according to him, acted as a stress-buster.

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"Once I quit international cricket, I wanted to spend a bit more time with my family. But, at that same time, to be mentally active, to have that passion to stay focussed - for me, I love farming, for me, it is the motorbikes. I have started getting into vintage cars. These things de-stress me," expressed Dhoni.