India all-rounder Deepti Sharma has drawn a striking comparison between tennis legend Novak Djokovic and former India captain MS Dhoni, highlighting a shared trait that, in her view, separates the greats from the rest: an unshakeable calm under pressure.
Speaking in an interaction with JioHotstar, Deepti said Djokovic’s mental strength and ability to stay composed in the most testing moments is what defines his greatness. She noted that no matter how difficult the situation becomes on court, the Serbian rarely appears rattled and consistently finds a way to turn matches around.
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“When you talk about Djokovic, everyone speaks about his mental strength. He is someone who never gives up, no matter how tough the situation is,” Deepti said. “In cricket, I think MS Dhoni sir is very similar. He is known for being very cool and calm. Whenever pressure situations come, he handles them really well. It never looks like he is in a difficult situation. He handles pressure so easily.”
Deepti added that both athletes represent a rare sporting mindset where pressure does not trigger panic, but clarity. In her view, this emotional stability is what allows champions like Djokovic and Dhoni to consistently deliver in crunch moments, often when matches appear to be slipping away.
“Both Djokovic and Dhoni have that rare quality of staying calm and strong when it matters the most,” she said. “Watching them, we learn how to stay calm and find a way out of tough situations.”
The comparison is fitting given the reputations both Djokovic and Dhoni have built over their careers. Djokovic, one of the most successful men’s tennis players in history, has won 24 Grand Slam singles titles and also has 100 ATP titles to his name, underlining his longevity and dominance across eras.
Similarly, Dhoni’s captaincy and finishing ability for India earned him a reputation as one of cricket’s greatest finishers and most composed leaders. He guided India to glory in the inaugural 2007 Men’s T20 World Cup, followed by the 2011 ODI World Cup triumph and the 2013 Champions Trophy victory.
For Deepti, the reflection comes at a significant point in her own career. She recently became the leading wicket-taker in women’s international cricket, surpassing the legendary Jhulan Goswami. Deepti also featured in the Women’s T20 World Cup, where India fell short of qualifying for the semi-finals, but her consistency with the ball remained a key positive for the side.
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