NEW DELHI: Reigning world chess champion D Gukesh Dommaraju has named legendary cricketer MS Dhoni as his idol, drawing inspiration from Dhoni’s unshakable composure under pressure. Gukesh admires the former Indian captain’s ability to stay calm in high-stakes situations and follows his mantra for handling pressure, especially in crucial moments.
Recently, Gukesh spoke about 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 while addressing the media at Chepauk.
“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.

Gukesh’s recent triumph over Ding Liren in the FIDE World Championship in Singapore, where he secured a 7.5-6.5 victory, showcased his exceptional focus and mental resilience under pressure.
“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 said.
He also recalled an interview where Dhoni shared a simple yet profound piece of wisdom 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.