Kolkata: The stunning six that sent the Indian crowd into a frenzy, the inspired bowling change that won them the inaugural World T20 and the celebration behind the stumps when James Tredwell failed to make a connection with the bat and ball, the newly turned 36-year old from Jharkhand has seen it all. Coming from a very average background, Mahendra Singh Dhoni has defied all odds to reach to the top and make the world witness his magic.
One of the modern day greats of the game, Dhoni has become an institution at the moment, and has become a symbol of calmness, composure, quick reflexes behind the stumps and some serious strength when it comes to tonking the ball for gigantic sixes. His debut series against Bangladesh wasn’t that great but he was still retained for the series against Pakistan. In his fifth ODI, he slammed a powerful 148 against an attack which never saw it coming.
People thus came to know of this long-haired wicketkeeper batsman who uses the bat just like an axe and goes full throttle if he has in an attacking mood. Just six months later, he bettered this score that smacked 183 against Sri Lanka. He was slowly announcing himself on the world stage and many new, that this is a guy who is going to stay for some time and create history and he did exactly that. By winning the inaugural World T20, people started believing in his abilities and hence, a new iconic figure in Indian cricket was in the making.
Four years down the line came the 2011 World Cup in the subcontinent. Dhoni new that this was his best chance of making India lift their second World Cup trophy after the great Kapil Dev did it in 1983. Well, gap of this 28 years was mentioned in the commentary when he played a crucial innings to actually help India lift the trophy in the front of the home crowd, fulfilling a billion dreams.
But his life in cricket hasn’t been that easy going as many thought it to be. He was one of the talking points whenever the team lost and many also questioned his unorthodox batting style which has won many a games for India. But as cool as he is, Dhoni handled all these criticisms calmly and silenced his critics in the most stylish way possible. Known for his witty answers at press conferences, the man has seen a lot of things transpire in Indian cricket since the time he took charge of the team.
Yet he is unfazed by people who call for him to quit the game, now that he is already 36 and has seemed to lose his mojo as a big-hitter of the cricket ball. Yes, the charming long-haired big-hitting batsman now sports short hair a lot of which has actually turned white but mind you, only the hair colour has changed. The unorthodox technique and the brute force required to hit the ball miles into the sky is still present in his aresenal and it would indeed take some time for Indian cricket to produce someone of his calibre and temperament.
After Sachin Tendulkar, he is perhaps the most famous cricketer in India, and his life and career is an example of how intent and passion can help a person attain great heights. The deafening roar and cheer in the grounds is testament to the fact that he was won so many hearts in his career which has been nothing short of magical and phenomenal.
On the occasion of your 36th birthday, we at SportsCrunch want to take this opportunity to thank you for all that you’ve done for Indian cricket. Keep hitting them hard and happy birthday Mahi!