Like MS Dhoni In Whites: Divya Deshmukh’s Ice-Cold Composure Draws Comparison With Cricket Legend
In the aftermath of her historic triumph at the FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup 2025, 18-year-old Indian chess sensation Divya Deshmukh is being hailed not only for her remarkable skill and strategy but also for her extraordinary calm under pressure—a trait that has led many fans and experts to compare her with one of India’s most celebrated sports icons, MS Dhoni.
The comparison was sparked after Divya’s clutch performance in the high-stakes final against Koneru Humpy, where she displayed steely nerves and unflinching focus, reminiscent of how Dhoni would absorb pressure in crunch cricket moments and deliver match-winning finishes with icy composure.
“Like MS Dhoni in the Death Overs” — The Viral Analogy
A tweet by former chess player and commentator IM Tania Sachdev lit up social media during the final, reading:
“Divya Deshmukh is like MS Dhoni in the death overs — calm, composed, calculating, and lethal when it matters the most!”
The post quickly went viral, with fans chiming in to celebrate the parallel between India’s Captain Cool and its new Queen of Chess.
The comparison isn’t just emotional—it’s strategic. Just like Dhoni was known for reading the game situation with clinical clarity, Divya is earning a reputation for making cold-blooded decisions at critical turning points on the board, often flipping games that appear drawn or worse into surprise victories.
Chess World Cup Masterclass: Dhoni-esque Decisions on Display
In the World Cup final, Divya took a bold yet calculated risk with a knight sacrifice in Game 1—a move that stunned even experienced Grandmasters. Instead of panicking or forcing a result, she patiently built pressure, waited for her moment, and struck when the position tipped in her favor.
This calmness under fire, and the ability to stay unaffected by big-match pressure, is exactly what earned Dhoni his legend status—and what now seems to define Divya’s own ascent.
What Makes Divya ‘Dhoni-like’?
Here’s how Divya Deshmukh mirrors MS Dhoni in temperament and decision-making:
| Trait | MS Dhoni | Divya Deshmukh |
|---|---|---|
| Cool Under Pressure | Finishes games calmly, no matter the score | Makes sharp tactical moves in tense moments |
| Strategic Thinking | Reads the game, outwits opposition with unorthodox plans | Anticipates long-term positional advantages |
| Minimal Emotion | Rarely shows nerves, stays neutral | Emotionless on board, focused throughout |
| Team Inspiration | Inspired India to global cricket dominance | Inspiring Indian women in chess and beyond |
| Calculated Risk-Taker | Helicopter shots, stumpings at the last moment | Bold sacrifices, positional shifts in key matches |
What the Experts Are Saying
- Viswanathan Anand, India’s first Grandmaster:
“Divya’s poise reminds me of MS Dhoni—no rush, just perfect timing. That’s rare in chess at her age.” - Harsha Bhogle, cricket analyst, tweeted:
“Divya Deshmukh has the ‘Dhoni gene’. You don’t flinch when the world is watching. You act.” - Susan Polgar, former Women’s World Champion:
“She’s ice-cold and razor-sharp. That’s the hallmark of a champion.”
MS Dhoni’s Legacy in Indian Sports Culture
MS Dhoni has long been the symbol of calm leadership in Indian sports. Leading India to World Cup victories in 2007 (T20), 2011 (ODI), and Champions Trophy 2013, his demeanor and foresight under pressure made him not just a cricketing legend, but a leadership icon across disciplines.
To be compared with Dhoni is not a trivial honor—it suggests a level of maturity, mental strength, and public trust that very few athletes, especially at a young age, have earned.
And for Divya, that comparison is even more powerful because it’s happening outside the cricketing realm—in the world of intellectual sport, on the 64 squares of the chessboard.
A Rising Star with the Composure of a Veteran
At just 18, Divya has already:
- Won the FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup, becoming the first Indian to do so
- Defeated some of the highest-rated women players in the world
- Qualified for the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament, bringing her within striking distance of the World Championship
And she’s done all of it with a level head, silent confidence, and a playing style that’s starting to feel distinctly Indian: sharp, adaptable, and quietly fierce—just like Dhoni at the crease.
The Torchbearer of Calm Brilliance
As Indian sports evolves beyond cricket, athletes like Divya Deshmukh are forging new icons, setting new standards for excellence. In a culture that still craves composed, cerebral champions, the likeness to MS Dhoni is not just flattering—it’s a promise of what’s to come.
Divya isn’t just playing chess. She’s teaching the next generation how to handle pressure, how to win with grace, and how to stay ice-cool—just like Dhoni did in whites.
Checkmate may be the end of a game, but for Divya Deshmukh, this is only the beginning of her legend.