Adieu MS Dhoni: Embodiment of emerging Indian spirit

Gautam Ganguly

The writer can be reached at gautamganguly2012@gmail.com

The quintessential Indian cricket captain, Pataudi once had said "One should retire when people ask - why ?? And not –why not ?" He went on to add that the saying was applicable not only for the players but also for people from all walks of life. Much to the chagrin of teeming millions of cricket lovers across the world, M.S. Dhoni , arguably the most successful Indian cricket captain, had announced his retirement from international cricket on 15th August even as ' ICC Men's T-20 World Cup' is kept under animated suspension due to Covid-19 pandemic .

Interestingly, a strange coincidence features the entry and exit of 'captain cool's illustrious cricket career. Indian cricket lovers can never forget the nail-biting semi final of the last ICC World Cup, 2019. Launching a grueling fight back from a tottering 92 runs for the loss of six wickets, MSD along with Ravinder Jadeja , took the game to a tantalizing stage !! However, a direct throw by Martin Guptil found fleet- footed Dhoni out of the crease shattering India's hopes !! Ironically, Dhoni, who has been widely acclaimed as one of the fastest sprinters between 22 yards, was run out in his debut ODI way back in 2004 against Bangladesh thereby justifying the good old saying 'that success or failure in life hangs on a slender thread !! '

In the midst of lavish praises pouring on MSD on his retirement, our Prime Minister's tribute that Dhoni 'epitomizes the spirit of 'New India' seems most pertinent and analytical. Cricket for long was the monopoly of Indian Metropolis. Dhoni, first Indian cricket captain from a small town, is the embodiment of emerging vibrant spirit of ambitious , computer literates Indian youths , their burgeoning self-esteem, their emphasis on action and yarning for success and glory. ( Kapil hails from Chandigarh, a city)

Dhoni's superlative success is ,however, the logical sequence and natural culmination of contribution made by a number of legends in making the game of cricket a 'virtual religion' and a powerful thread of national integration. Pataudi is credited to have fostered patriotic, nationalistic spirit at a time when Indian cricket was bedeviled with factionalism. Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev by their lofty individual performances made the world take cognizance of an emerging cricketing power alongside other super powers like Australia, England and West Indies. Saurav Ganguly magnified India's need to stop being passive, nice guys and face the world manfully And Dhoni was the solace providing satisfaction to the cricket-hungry Indians by making India champion in ICC T-20 world cup in 2007, followed up by 2011 world cup. The icing in the cake came when he lifted the Champions' Trophy held in England. The only captain in the world to have won all the three ICC trophies !!

Statistically, Dhoni has captained in any as many 332 matches aggregating all formats and won 178 matches. No cricketer has won more matches for India as captain in international cricket than Dhoni. He further enjoys the incredible record in winning seven out of eleven times leading Team India in a knockout match at a multi-team event.

Dhoni's uncanny ability to motivate the team mates, his cool temperament were best displayed during the ICC World Cup,2015. Immediately prior to the world cup,2015, Team India had toured Australia and suffered humiliating defeats in all formats of the game. Indian abysmal performance had led to a few experts to rubbish Indian team and rated Indian bowlers especially to be of below standard.

However, the experts were shocked and baffled at team India's total transformation as the world cup 2015 unfolded. Pulverizing the arch rival Pakistan in the first encounter was just the ignition, they needed. Team India then annihilated a strong South African team in the second match thereby setting the excitement and expectation into motion. Dhoni and his boys went beating team after team and reached the semifinal to clash with its 'bête-noir' Australia. The volte-faced cricket experts were compelled to shower heaps of praise on scintillating Indian performance led by redoubtable MSD.

The Himalayan achievements of the finest executor of 'Helicopter-shot' cannot be summed up in a short write up. Paying glowing tribute, Gavaskar said that he would love to watch 'Dhoni 's six to win the World Cup, 2011 before living the last day of his life'.

Also Watch: Watch: Patient Being Taken to Hospital in Hand Cart