Aussie bites bullet for Indian media

Sam Ferris, an Aussie cricketer journalist for cricket.com.au, was trending on Twitter after M.S. Dhoni made him sit beside himself at the press conference for a chat. Ferris later narrated the sit-down on crick-et.com.au.

I thought it was a pretty standard question to be fair. When Dhoni shocked the world with his Test retirement, it caught everybody off-guard. With that in mind, I was sure he would get asked again if he was going to retire from limited-overs cricket. But in case none of the India press pack was going to ask, I was ready.

For the record, I never asked if he was going to retire, just how keen he was to play on. I’m not trying to retire one of the greats. I even prefaced it with “You’ve achieved pretty much everything in cricket” to soften the blow and try to make me not look like some blood-thirsty mosquito looking for a headline.

Then he smiles and asks if I can repeat it. Great, I mumbled. I pony up again and ask, and instead of an answer I get an invitation. An invitation to come join him on stage. At first I politely decline, but he insists.

I’m welcomed with a warm embrace, a sympathetic arm around my shoulder and a crisp white smile, the same smile I’ve seen on a dozen commercials featuring Dhoni on Indian television selling a vast range of products.

“Hello, sir,” I said. “Do you want me to retire ,” said Dhoni straight out of the blocks. “Ahh, no, that’s what I was going to ask you,” I blurt out.

Dhoni starts to explain that he hoped it was an Indian reporter that had asked him that question, and that if I didn’t have a son or a brother who was willing to take his place, he would carry on. “Do you think I’m unfit, looking at me running,” another loaded question by Dhoni. “No,” I answer, “very fast.” “Do you think I can survive until the 2019 World Cup ” Dhoni said. “Umm yes! Sure.” “Then you have the answer to your question.” “Thank you, sir.”

I get off the stage, to slight applause and disbelieving laughter.