Dhoni has been away from international cricket for more than 6 years. But his name is still in conversations with some of the world's best cricketers.
The latest example came after the India-West Indies third ODI on 3 October 2026. Shai Hope said that a conversation with Dhoni had influenced his approach during the match.
Hope then produced one of the best ODI innings of his career and scored an unbeaten 162 as West Indies chased down India's 352-run target.
Shai Hope Credits Dhoni
Hope revealed that Dhoni had given him a simple but powerful piece of advice: “Always have more time than you think.”
The West Indies captain said that the conversation changed the way he thought of chasing big totals. He didn’t get too obsessed with the final target, he concentrated on the process and divided the chase into smaller steps and pursued boundaries at the end.
That worked spectacularly.
Hope remained unbeaten until the end as West Indies had the best ODI run chase record and defeated India by five wickets.
Shai Hope credits MS Dhoni for influencing his batting approach, which helped him score a match-winning hundred against India 🙌 Secure your chance to be at #CWC27 by registering for the ticket ballot 🗳️ https://t.co/34t4NX1d4h https://t.co/qNqvUNidnr
— ICC (@ICC) October 4, 2026
Dhoni Retired More Than Six Years Ago
Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket on 15 August 2020. His last international appearance was in the World Cup semi-final of India 2019 (New Zealand).
Since then, he has not represented India internationally. But his reputation as a leader and thinker spans generations and national boundaries.
That is what makes Hope’s comments particularly significant. It was not simply an Indian player praising a former player. It was the captain of another international team talking about how Dhoni’s advice influenced his own batting mindset.
More than Trophies and Statistics
Dhoni’s influence cannot be measured only through runs, dismissals or trophies.
As India's captain he took the country to the 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 ODI World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy. He also became one of cricket's most successful wicketkeeper-captains.
But perhaps his greatest impact was as a result of pressure.
Dhoni became so good at maintaining calm in a tense situation, trusting his gut feeling and his decision making and just making the next one instead of getting overwhelmed by all the things.
That philosophy has stayed with players well after his international retirement.
The Dhoni Effect Continues
The amazing aspect of the Hope story is that Dhoni did not need to be on the field to affect the outcome.
He was not playing for India. He was not in the West Indies dressing room. He was not part of the third ODI.
And yet a conversation with him became part of the thinking process of a record-breaking chase.
Daren Sammy, West Indies head coach, also praised Hope’s performance and leadership after the victory while ICC highlighted the significance of his unbeaten 162.
Is Dhoni the Most Influential Cricketer Ever?
That question will always be subjective.
Cricket has produced such great players as Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Ricky Ponting and Virat Kohli and each of them has influenced the sport in a different way.
But Dhoni's case is unique.
He was an international wicketkeeper and a finishing batsman in his own right; he was able to combine the pressure as it was to win and what he needed to win. His influence also extended beyond India.
Six Years Later, His Relevance Remains
Dhoni does not have to score a century or win another international trophy to remain relevant.
Sometimes, a few words spoken during a conversation can affect an international captain years into his career.
Shai Hope's extraordinary innings on 3 October 2026 is the latest example.
Dhoni’s legacy, for him at least, is perhaps the most powerful: he may have left international cricket, but his impact on those still playing it has not diminished.
