Mahendra Singh Dhoni... I was in Intermediate when I heard his name for the first time. It was lunch break and one of my friends reached me to inform “Dhoni has scored an unbeaten 148 against Pakistan”. Right from the days when I started watching cricket, I had a strong feeling that India badly needed a wicket keeper batsman to form a well structured team. So, when I heard about his 148, I was bit happier as it came out from the bat of a wicket keeper. But when I watched the way he scored his 148, it was a huge disappointment for me. Most of his cricketing shots lacked technique. I felt he is not going to be with Indian cricket team for long because of his unorthodox batting style. Few months later, it was a match against Srilanka and he had broken an all time record as a wicket keeper batsman by scoring 183. And this time when I watched his play, it triggered my dislike towards high scoring games. His batting style resembled a street player. His easy way of batting never made me feel that it was an international game. However, two years passed with his huge sixes clearing the stands. I liked few of them, and slowly I started counting the number of sixes which he had hit; assuming he will reach the top of the chart very soon. Later I turned out to be a huge fan of his sixes.
.. It was one of the days in 2007, when India lost to Bangladesh in the world cup. My eyes were almost filled with tears looking at down headed Indian team. It was 3am in the morning and all I could do was close my eyes to accept the fact. But with that defeat, I should say the entire Indian cricket has taken its new form because Dhoni was made as a captain.
His first victory... I don't think anyone had any hopes on Indian team when they left to South Africa to play the first ever International T20 world cup. But Dhoni has made his mark with inexperienced team and brought back the respect to the Indian cricket. Like many others, even I couldn't judge his leadership immediately. Around 6 months later, I was in a bus with my friend returning back from college. We were getting SMS updates about the final match played between India and Australia. Half of the bus was waiting for the final message and I received it in no time. India defeated Australia in Australia and that too in the best of 3 finals. I was very happy with the news and felt India has found a great captain. After going home, I watched highlights and during the presentation ceremony, he called Piyush Chawla, the youngest of the team, to receive the cup. That was the time I really felt he has not only got power to lead but also has great thoughts.
... From then on, I started observing him and never found the old Dhoni in him. He changed his way of slog hitting, realised the importance of he being there at the crease and improved himself as a match winner. He has a genius cricketing brain in him. India had won few great matches under his captaincy. Apart from cricket, the way he has given farewell to Kumble and Ganguly was highly appreciable. I enjoyed with his idea when he asked Ganguly to lead the team for last few overs of Ganguly’s cricketing career. I heard Sreesanth saying about Symond’s runout appeal: “Dhoni has told me that it is not the correct way of making someone out, so I took back my appeal”. I was moved when Dhoni accepted to recall England’s Ian Bell from dressing room when he was misjudged. His ideas, thoughts and his implementations made me proud as a cricket lover.
Dhoni finishes off in style... Entire Indian cricket fans filled their emotions in heart and punched the air when Ravi Shastri uttered those words explaining the moments of Indian World cup victory on 2nd April 2011. I thank Dhoni for all the memories and especially for fulfilling the Indian world cup dream. Though cricket is a team sport and credit goes to the entire team, the way he led the team was outstanding. Recently, when India came back from England without even winning a single game, one of my friends had told me “I still respect Dhoni, because he gave us world cup”. If I had to say anything about him, I’ll just say... Dhoni is a thoughtful cricketer which India has ever got.
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