As the much anticipated encounter in the men’s t20 Cricket world cup between arch rivals India and Pakistan gets underway this evening, all eyes will be fixed on the engrossing battle between the willow and cherry. Every single move, moment and detail-from the toss till post match presentations- will be analysed minutely by over a billion cricket enthusiasts.
However, one individual, who is going to draw as much attention as the twenty two men on the pitch, is Team India’s mentor, former India captain and world cup winner M S Dhoni. It’s Dhoni who holds the record for winning all limited over’s competitions. Incidentally, in 2007, under his leadership, India emerged champion in the inaugural edition of t-20 world cup.
In the last two decades, many greats- batters, bowlers, allrounders- have enriched the game with their art and enthralled the spectators. Dhoni, too, with his abilities as a wicket keeper- batsman created a niche for him. Few can forget his match winning, captain’s knock in the 50 over 2011 World cup final.
However, when it comes to leading the side, Dhoni can only be challenged by himself. He will be remembered for his pin point accuracy as a strategist. Not only in his playing days, even post retirement, Dhoni’s considered as one of the greatest readers of the game. This month, even close to two years after he quit international cricket, the MSD led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) won the IPL 2021 for the fourth time.
Ever since he made his debut in 2004, not much has changed in Dhoni, the cricketer. Cool as ice even in tense moments, he’s never displayed much emotion, either when the team has won or lost, under him. Mentoring juniors and empowering them to turn into match winners has been his hallmark, almost every player he has groomed has bloomed in career. Accessible and ready to help teammates with a smile, he has been a true leader.
Revealing #TeamIndia’s latest throwdown specialist! @msdhoni | #T20WorldCup ??? pic.twitter.com/COZZgV7Ba6
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 22, 2021
However, on many occasions, what has stumped all, from his team members to opposition sides and experts -is his unconventional, on the sport decisions. Only he can throw the ball at an unknown an untested Joginder Singh to bowl the final over of a nerve wrenching final that too against Pakistan (remember 2007 t20 world cup), or send an almost forgotten Robin Uthappa to bat at number three in the play offs and then finals of IPL (2021). If Joginder Singh created history in 2007, Uthappa proved Dhoni’s decisions right with back to back cracking innings.
On paper, India looks much stronger than other sides. But, T20 is a funny game, only an over can change the fate of a match. The side that holds its nerves in every match will lift the trophy. Therefore, Dhoni’s calming presence-for the first time after retirement- in the dressing room is not only going to help the team in tense moments, his knowledge, understanding and experience, puts India at an advantageous position.
