I remember the day when you walked in to bat for the first time. Back then, you were more known for your hitting abilities than anything else. Well, that's the reputation that opened the Indian dressing room's doors for you. Being curious to know more about a debutant and see more of him in Domestic Cricket has always been one of my quirky habits and a way of judging any player's talent. And you were no exception to it. And believe me, what I saw in those couple of Domestic Cricket match-highlights had left me awestruck! This guy with long hairs can literally hit the ball out of the park and toy with the bowlers – well, those highlights truly depicted and affirmed the very saying. You showed me what I have never seen before. That particular 'Helicopter' shot of yours seemed too surreal to believe and too sumptuous to digest!

However, being deprived of a technique (like what Sachin, Rahul and Kallis had) and, as a wicketkeeper, having left no exceptional memories of any jaw-dropping catch under your belt (like what Adam Gilchrist and Mark Boucher used to do on their any business day) back during your Domestic Cricket journey had left many Indian fans skeptical about you, or your future per se. There were these fans who doubted your career even before it truly began to flourish. But I guess you had something else in your mind. At least, that's what I saw in those desperate eyes. It felt as if you knew how to see a game of Cricket differently. It felt as if you were the one who knew that Cricket is far beyond just a class and a technique. It felt as if you deserve more than just a couple of opportunities. And despite those early setbacks during your Bangladesh tour, when you smashed a couple of destructive knocks of 148 runs against our arch-rival Pakistan and of 183 runs against Sri Lanka, that is when people started believing that you certainly belong here and have a long way to look forward to.

Back then, you were quite known for one thing (apart from having long hairs), and that was - being too carefree. But the strangest thing was - it was the same thing which had garnered fame and infamy for you. However, as I have told you before, you were uncommon. Somehow you knew how to handle both fame and criticism with ease and not to get drown under, as they both are equally capable of destroying oneself - the former which can make one's career fade away via a fate of egoism and the later which can make one's career to fall like a house of cards through a face of dejection.

After Sourav Ganguly's departure (both as a captain and as a player), India were struggling to get a captain who can be as aggressive as and as destructive as he (had been). However, after trying out with a couple of senior players and finally finding them out without much success, it all came to you. At that time what India truly needed is to be led by young blood and mind than anyone else. You had been given a quite humongous task of bringing the most out of those young and fledgling players. You had been given an opportunity to carry Sourav Ganguly's legacy forward. And oh boy! Haven't you taken it to the next level!

During your first World Cup (both as a captain and as a player), many eyes were fixated upon you. Everyone was curious to see how you perform - more as a Captain than just a player or a wicketkeeper/batsman. But that’s when a true Leader steps in. You have shown us what level of courage it takes a Leader to make any bold decision. Handling that last over to Joginder Sharma in a T20 World Cup Final against Pakistan was nothing less than taking a risk, and yet you gave him a confidence that he can deliver it for the team. And look what it has done to him, to other young players, and especially to us. You have given us our first coveted World Cup. That is when I felt many more are on the cards - as long as you lead Team India.

Your whole journey has been nothing less than an epitome of 'Transformation' Mahi. You have shown us what it is all about. For me, if a term 'Transformation' had a face, it would have mostly (if not certainly) looked like you. I must say - from being carefree to being calm and composed even under those tense and strenuous moments, from being amateur to being the best behind the wicket is not a cup of tea for everyone. And you know - it is this very transformation that has given India back its 50 overs World Cup too after a period of 28 years. Being out of the form throughout the series and yet coming in front of an in-form Yuvraj Singh in that World cup final against Sri Lanka back in 2011 was certainly a bold decision, and yet it seemed you knew how to prove everyone wrong and wanted to show the world how a captain should lead from the front. It seemed as if you wanted to tell everyone that winning that T20 World Cup wasn't just a fluke, and sometimes risks are worth taking. Mind you, that knock of yours is as fresh as today's morning and is as praiseworthy as your other knocks have been. Especially, that scene of you hitting a winning six to finish the game off for India still reverberates inside my mind, and I highly doubt it will fade away any time sooner!

Like any other legend, you have been through ups and downs too. Especially, during this last World Cup of 2019, wherein you were reprimanded from every corner for batting with a low strike rate. But you know what, these were the exact same people who still had a leap of faith even when India were 4 for 24 in a chase of 240 under bowling-friendly condition against mighty Kiwis when we faced them in the semi-final. I still remember your struggle through that inning, wherein you couldn’t connect the ball properly. Still, you stayed at the crease; still, you garnered those invaluable runs for us - for Team India. Even after Ravindra Jadeja's fall out, like many of us, I still had a faith in you. You gave your best. You tried everything that you could have possibly of. But, sometimes, even the best of the best have to face ill-fortune. Just like the 2011 World cup final, the memory of you walking back to the pavilion with a sobbing heart after being run-out is quite fresh to me. The only thing is - one memory makes me burst in joy and the other, however, makes me drown in disbelief and sorrow. But you know what, you are still the same MSD to me what you have been to me when you embarked on your journey. The age might have taken a toll on your career and might have forced you to retire today, but mind you, you are still as swift as other athletes and as destructive as you have been - something no one can deny of!

For me, if Sourav had led the foundation, then you were the one who made sure India gets a few true gems before you wind up. You made sure India's future stays in better hands before you sign-off. For that, we all owe you a lion's share!

You have made us all proud Mahi. And I assure you that - things like you being out-of-form, you having a low strike rate (at the end of your career), and your today's announcement won't take away that image of yours from us, at least not from me. Like what you are to the rest of the world, you will always be my inspiration.

I am not sure what retirement plans you have in mind, but I know one thing for sure. The kind of down-to-earth persona that you had been holding while on the field, you will carry the same off the field too and will continue to make us proud for the rest of our lives. Like many other of your bold decisions, we respect your this genteel one to retire from International Cricket too. Maybe, it’s time for a new MSD to step in and walk onto your footsteps. We are certainly looking forward to it. But that doesn’t mean we won’t miss you.

Meanwhile, have a great parenthood champ! You’re off from one responsibility to lean a shoulder for another.

 

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