Dhoni and Djokovic share rare calm under pressure: Deepti Sharma
Synopsis
At Wimbledon for the first time, India all-rounder Deepti Sharma drew a rare cross-sport comparison — linking MS Dhoni's ice-cool temperament to Novak Djokovic's legendary mental resilience. It's a reminder that the qualities that define greatness cut across disciplines, and that Indian cricketers are increasingly finding inspiration beyond the boundary.
Key Takeaways
Deepti Sharma visited Wimbledon for the first time on 3 July , attending as a guest.
She compared MS Dhoni's calm under pressure to Novak Djokovic's mental resilience in an interview with Jio Hotstar .
Deepti named Djokovic as her favourite tennis player, saying she follows his matches more than anyone else's.
She said she would bring Sachin Tendulkar , Ravi Shastri , and Sunil Gavaskar to Wimbledon if she could.
Deepti is the second Indian cricketer at Wimbledon this week, after former opener Shikhar Dhawan visited on Wednesday.
Indian women's cricket all-rounder Deepti Sharma has drawn a striking parallel between former India captain MS Dhoni and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, saying both sporting legends share an uncommon ability to stay composed when the stakes are highest. Deepti made the comparison on 3 July while attending Wimbledon for the first time.
The Dhoni-Djokovic Connection
'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. 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 said in an interview with Jio Hotstar.
She elaborated further: 'Both Djokovic and Dhoni have that rare quality of staying calm and strong when it matters the most. Watching them, we learn how to stay calm and find a way out of tough situations.'
A Bucket-List Moment at Wimbledon
Deepti described attending Wimbledon as a long-held personal dream. 'My dream was that one day I would come to watch a Wimbledon match, and it feels really good to finally be here. When you go to watch a match at an iconic venue like this, and when you have always seen it on TV but today you are seeing it live for the first time, it feels amazing. The atmosphere, the crowd, the energy — everything is different,' she said.
The all-rounder added that the experience had lived up to every expectation, calling the atmosphere at the All England Club in London entirely unlike watching the tournament on television.
Djokovic Her Favourite, Federer and Nadal Her Foundation
Deepti named Djokovic as her favourite player, citing his resilience and never-give-up attitude as qualities she deeply admires. 'My favourite is Djokovic. I follow his game very closely. The way he fights on the court, his mental strength, and his never-give-up attitude, I really admire all of that. Watching him play is always inspiring,' she said.
She also acknowledged the influence of the sport's earlier greats. 'I grew up watching greats like Federer and Nadal. I followed their matches closely for a long time. But lately, Djokovic has become my favourite. I follow his matches more than anyone else now,' Deepti said.
The Legends She Would Bring to Wimbledon
When asked whom she would choose to accompany her for a day at Wimbledon, Deepti named three Indian cricket icons. 'I would choose three people to take with me: Sachin Tendulkar sir, Ravi Shastri sir, and Sunil Gavaskar sir. They are all legends in their own right, and I think watching tennis with them would be a great experience. They have so much knowledge about sports, and I would love to hear their thoughts and analysis while watching the matches,' she said.
Second Indian Cricketer at Wimbledon This Week
Deepti is the second Indian cricketer to visit Wimbledon in two days. Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan appeared at Centre Court at the All England Club on Wednesday, making it a notable week for Indian cricket's presence at the prestigious grass-court Grand Slam.
As Wimbledon 2025 progresses, Deepti's visit underscores the growing cross-sport curiosity among Indian athletes, and the enduring global draw of the sport's most storied tournament.
Point of View
And Dhoni is the Indian equivalent. That says something about how Indian cricket's next generation internalises pressure management. The bigger story, though, is institutional: two Indian cricketers at Wimbledon in two days suggests a deliberate push — possibly by the BCCI or broadcasters — to build cross-sport visibility for Indian cricket stars on global platforms.
NationPress
3 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What comparison did Deepti Sharma draw between MS Dhoni and Novak Djokovic?
Deepti Sharma said both MS Dhoni and Novak Djokovic possess the rare ability to remain calm and composed under intense pressure. Speaking at Wimbledon, she noted that just as Djokovic never gives up regardless of the situation, Dhoni handles pressure so effortlessly that it never looks like he is in a difficult spot.
Why was Deepti Sharma at Wimbledon?
Deepti Sharma attended Wimbledon 2025 in London, fulfilling what she described as a long-held personal dream. It was her first visit to the tournament, and she said the live atmosphere — the crowd, the energy, the iconic venue — far exceeded what she had experienced watching it on television.
Who is Deepti Sharma's favourite tennis player?
Deepti Sharma named Novak Djokovic as her favourite tennis player, citing his mental strength, fighting spirit, and never-give-up attitude. She said she grew up watching Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal but that Djokovic has become the player she follows most closely.
Which Indian cricket legends did Deepti Sharma say she would bring to Wimbledon?
Deepti said she would bring Sachin Tendulkar, Ravi Shastri, and Sunil Gavaskar to Wimbledon, calling all three legends in their own right. She said their sporting knowledge and analysis would make the experience even more enriching.
Was Deepti Sharma the only Indian cricketer at Wimbledon this week?
No. Deepti Sharma was the second Indian cricketer to visit Wimbledon within two days. Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan had appeared at Centre Court at the All England Club on Wednesday, a day before Deepti's visit.
