India, March 1 -- MS Dhoni's early dream, as recalled by Wasim Jaffer, was not built around superstardom or staggering wealth. It was far simpler - and perhaps far more revealing of the man he would become.

In a striking anecdote from Dhoni's early India days, Jaffer recalled that the former India captain once spoke about wanting to earn only around Rs.30 lakh so he could secure a comfortable life in Ranchi, with a house and a car. The memory has resurfaced as a reminder of Dhoni's grounded mindset before fame, trophies and fortune transformed his life.

Jaffer began by clarifying that the famous line was not said directly to him. "No, he didn't say that to me; he said that to my wife," Jaffer said, before adding that they used to spend ...