Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Mahendra Singh Dhoni: A Cricket Legendary

Mahendra Singh Dhoni

On 15th August 2020, when the whole country was busy for the celebration of Independence Day, Mahendra Singh Dhoni announced his retirement from Cricket. 

The news of retirement surprised his fans and therefore, the social media was full of wishing and missing him from cricket.

Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi hoisted the National Flag at Red Fort. Thereafter, he addressed the Nation which was enthusiastic, energetic and visionary for the Indians'. 

After the Prime Minister speech at Red Fort, experts were analysing the Prime Minister’s speech. Suddenly, the trend of social media was changed due to the announcement of the retirement of Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Hemant Soren

Meanwhile, the chief minister of Jharkhand, Sh. Hemant Soren, requested the BCCI to arrange a farewell cricket match for Mahendra Singh Dhoni in Ranchi. 

Rahul Dravid

It was the year of 2004, when Indian cricket team was searching a substitute for Rahul Dravid, a wicket keeper cum batsman. There was a one day match in Chhitagong between India and Bangladesh. Indian team’s run rate was low and therefore, Mahendra Singh Dhoni was promoted up the order to accelerate the run rate against Bangladesh. Fortunately, he smashed 183 runs out of 145 balls and the whole country heard the new name of wicket keeper cum batsman,i.e; Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Finally, the search of wicket keeper cum batsman was over. 

After cricket match in Bangladesh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni never looked back and he showed his capability through his bats. He seldom spoke about his capability and whenever, India was in trouble in cricket, he used to redress the team.

Indian cricket team was defeated in the final World Cup of 2003. Although the performance of Indian cricket team was excellent in this World Cup. In spite of excellent team, its performance started deteriorating day by day. Indian team was struggling from 2006 and hence, no senior players were eager to take the responsibility in the 2007 T20 World Cup. 

Mahendra Singh Dhoni was given the captainship of Indian cricket team having new players who don’t have much experience in the international match. Experienced players of Indian team weren’t interested to join this team believing that the team performance would be worse.

Darkness was visible in the Indian cricket team of 2007 T20 World Cup and therefore, none had any expectation from this team. But destiny had already decided to create a history for Indian fans under the captainship of Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Fortunately, Indian team started performing well and reached the final against Pakistan. 

Initially, the Indian team performance in the batting was not up to the satisfaction and scored 157 in 20 overs in the T20 World Cup Final. Fans were in fear that India might lose the match as Pakistan's performance was also better in its previous match. 

Mahendra Singh Dhoni was always known as taking risks and he proved that he was seldom wrong in his decision. In the last over, he called Joginder Sharma for bowling and the whole country was surprised with the decision of Dhoni. Dhoni had proved that he was right and finally, India won the T20 World Cup Final romantically.

Several times, he emerged to take the team out of the clutch of losing the match. Under his captainship, India won the World Cup in 2011 which added moonlight in his career. It was Dhoni, an Indian captain who used to perform three roles in most cricket matches, i.e; Captain, Batsman and wicket keeper. He was only the captain under whose leadership India had won two World Cups: One in 2007 T20 World Cup and Second was in 2011, World Cup.

His hair style was praised by the contemporary Pakistan President, Parvej Musharaf when India went to Pakistan to play against Pakistan cricket team and Indian team had won the match. However, he changed his hairstyle, best known to him.

Narendra Modi

Even the Prime Minister of India, Sh. Narendra Modi had sent a two page letter to him wishing his retirement on 20th August 2020. No doubt, Dhoni is a legend and this type of player seldom comes. He will be remembered for his contribution in Indian cricket team and his helicopter shot will always be missed by the fans. 

This is the rule of nature that whoever comes in this land, he should have to leave after a certain time and therefore, it is followed everywhere. But the great contribution of this leader will always be  remembered in history.

Indian cricket team had its own history and it had several renowned players like Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Chetan Sharma, Sourav Ganguly, V.V.S. Laxman, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, etc; and one new name is added in this list and that is Mahendra Singh Dhoni. He is a celebrity, earned his name and fame and even his contributions in cricket increases the respect of India. 

In an interview, he mentioned that he wanted to join Indian army in his childhood. He requested Indian Army to allow him to join it. He was appointed as Lieutenant of Indian Army as a Honorary post. He had worked in Jammu and Kashmir for a fortnight to tackle terrorism which shows his eagerness towards Indian Army. It shows his commitment towards his country and therefore, it is a lesson for the youth to follow his path to serve the country.

The author wishes him for a better retirement life and he would continue to work for the welfare of the country.

Jai Hind.