Mahendra Singh Dhoni starting from a rather small background had had several blows and downfalls. When Dhoni preferred cricket to football, many players of his generation had already established themselves in Indian cricket. He started his journey in the international arena with Team India in 2004. Before his debut, he had played just 34 first-class matches.
Having no prior experience in captaincy, Dhoni led the team in the 2007 World Twenty20 as underdogs but reached the finals. In a tense finale against Pakistan, India had to defend 13 runs in the last over. Pakistan had only one wicket but with Misbah-ul-Haq in the field, things looked quite blurry for India. Harbhajan had one over left but he was smashed by Misbah for three sixes in the 17th over. Dhoni gave the ball to Joginder Sharma and the rest was history. India won by 5 runs. Dhoni’s historic decision of handing over the last over to Joginder Sharma is still widely appreciated and remembered. The commentary line by Ravi Shastri, “In the air... Sreesanth takes it, India win the World Cup” is still ringing in the ears. It marked the arrival of Dhoni, the captain cool.
Check out here the bravo's song for MS Dhoni on his birthday: Dhoni Bravo Song
His decision to drop Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid got multiple critical remarks. However, it is necessary to acknowledge that this decision brought in a change of culture, fielding was given equal importance like batting and bowling.
The 2011 World Cup is another nostalgic and remarkable journey in Indian cricket. Instead of letting Yuvraj go out and play who had an amazing tournament record, Dhoni decided to step up the order and face the game. He scored an unbeaten 91 runs and helped India chase down the total. India lifted the World Cup after 28 years.
“Dhoniiiiiiiiiii……….finishes off in style….a magnificent strike into the crowd….India lift the world cup after 28 years….the party starts in the dressing room…and it’s the Indian Captain who has been absolutely magnificent in the night of the final”.
In the 2013 Champion Trophy, Mahi brought the strength to the opening slot by promoting Rohit Sharma as India’s new opener. Pairing up Rohit and Dhawan, who had last played for India in 2011, made talks in the country. This pair, however, went on to reshape the Indian top order and clinched the 2013 Champions Trophy title. Rohit Sharma has grown tremendously ever since that. Captain cool became the first captain to win World T20, World Cup and Champions Trophy titles.
Years later, in the 2016 World T20, in a must win match against Bangladesh, Dhoni gave the last over to Hardik Pandya. When many doubted this decision as Pandya was then a newcomer and was untested, Dhoni let Pandya bowl. India won the match by 1 run. Whoever had watched this nail biting match the other night can still feel goose bumps thinking of those nerve wrenching moments of Pandya throwing an almost wide but not a wide ball and Dhoni grabbing the ball and running and hitting the stumps instead of throwing it towards the stumps. Those replay checks could hear million heartbeats. India clinched that victory and once again Dhoni fulfilled the hopes of millions.
“One of my theories is to be captain on the field and off the field, you need to totally enjoy each other's company. I don't like discussing cricket off the field.”
This man had carried millions of hopes and mountain level pressure on his shoulders throughout his career, the calm handling and everlasting smile is what defines the birthday boy!!
