MS Dhoni opens up on his criticism as T20I batsman

New Delhi: Hitting his critics for a six, Mahendra Singh Dhoni finally opened up on his criticism as T20I batsman, saying, "Everybody has views in life and it should be respected."

The humble MS Dhoni, during the launch of his academy in Dubai, said that whatever comes to him, he takes it constructively.

"I have always felt that sports is one way of learning about life. How you deal with disappointments, how you are supposed to come in front of people when you have either you have won or lost a game. At the same time, how you stand up to criticism, and how you have an open mind about learning and improving yourself," said MSD.

Dhoni also revealed about the source from where he gets motivation of keep going, amid the criticism from various ends. He admitted that representing the nation is his major motivation.

"Representing the country is the best motivation for me. My biggest motivation is being part of the Indian cricket team. I have always believed that the process is more important than the result. I have never thought about the results. I have always believed in what is the right thing to do at that moment," said Mahi.

Also read: Is MS Dhoni on the same boat Sourav Ganguly was in 2007?

"I have always been involved in the process, and have never burdened myself with what if the result does not go my way. At the end of the day when the match gets over, if I look into the mirror and say to myself that I have tried my best, then I am satisfied," he added.

With Dhoni being the top trend in the cricketing circles, few veterans stood by his side while others weighed down on him.

Former Indian pacer Ajit Agarkar had questioned Dhoni's place in T20 side, saying, "I think India must now look at other options, at least in T20Is. In one-day cricket, they seem be happy with the role that he is playing. When you were the captain of the side, it was different. But just as a batsman, will India miss him, I don’t think so. In T20 cricket, it is lot easier to make that transition as there is lot of experience in that team apart from MS Dhoni now."

Also read: Has the time come for MS Dhoni to step down from T20s?

“I feel its time for MS Dhoni to give youngsters a chance in T2O format,” these words came from former Indian batsman VVS Laxman who added his name to the list of veterans opposing Dhoni’s place in T20s.

While, skipper Virat Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri brushed aside every possibility of removing Dhoni from the shortest format of the game, calling him the eternal part of the side.