NEW DELHI: In a fascinating intersection of sports, reigning world chess champion D Gukesh Dommaraju has revealed that legendary cricketer MS Dhoni is his idol, drawing inspiration from Dhoni’s unshakable composure under pressure. Gukesh, who recently clinched the FIDE World Championship title in Singapore with a 7.5-6.5 victory over Ding Liren, credits Dhoni’s ability to stay calm in high-stakes situations as a key influence on his own approach to chess.
Speaking at a media event at Chepauk, Gukesh expressed his deep admiration for Dhoni and the significant role the cricketing icon has played in shaping his mindset and approach to pressure situations. “MS Dhoni is one sportsperson I really admire. To this day, he is the one. How he doesn’t react to anything that happens. How he is able to calmly think in any situation. In the highest-pressure moments, he is able to think with a clear mind. I grew up watching that. It felt like I had to emulate it in my own craft,” Gukesh said.
Gukesh’s ability to handle pressure, inspired by Dhoni, was evident in his recent championship win. “In that sense, he really inspired me. I don’t react to things much. I am good at handling pressure. In that way, he has really helped me in my career. Not only as an inspiration but in my game as well,” he added.
The young chess prodigy also shared a specific instance where Dhoni’s wisdom helped him during high-pressure moments. “When there is a high-pressure moment, I tend to think about how Dhoni handled so much pressure in a particular situation. Those things have really helped me calm down,” Gukesh explained.
Furthermore, Gukesh recalled a piece of advice from Dhoni that continues to guide him. “Dhoni, I think, said in an interview: ‘Keep doing the simple things, keep the mind clear when the situation is very difficult.’ When facing tough situations in chess, I try to create that same calmness within myself,” Gukesh said, highlighting the profound impact of Dhoni’s philosophy on his chess career.