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.
-- THE END --
12 Comments
Too good. Nicely summed up the magnificent journey MSD had had.
ReplyDeleteVery well describe the cricket journey of MS Dhoni
ReplyDeleteNice bhai ....
ReplyDeleteChan Mukul 👌
ReplyDeleteVery good
ReplyDeleteSO nice. very good.
ReplyDeletevery nice bro...
ReplyDeleteVery nice Mukul.!
ReplyDeleteVery Nice Man!!!
ReplyDeleteVery Nice Man!!!
ReplyDeleteUltimate!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a comeback from you!! --Nukul
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