None Other Than - MSD
He came, He saw, He thought, He conquered…
Cricket is a religion in a country
like ours. We see our cricket players as warriors, not just a sportsman.
While we were busy enjoying golden
era of legends like Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS
Laxman, God was (in back-end) preparing a complete package for Indian cricket
lovers J
There cannot be any comparison
between these legends and MSD or between any two cricketers same like the Sun
and the Moon cannot be compared. Every player is different and so is their
time.
Captaining a side having Stalwarts
like Sachin, Dravid, Ganguly as team was a matter of privilege for him. He had
never been disrespectful for his seniors and still had the courage to stand and
keep a hold on young and fresh talents.
When we scan the graph of MS Dhoni’s
career, he is altogether a different identity more than an unconventional
though extraordinary wicket-keeper or a finisher. Starting from his
International Debut in 2004 till 2019 World Cup Semifinal match, we have
witnessed his evolution from a great ball hitter, to a destroyer of opposition,
to captain cool, to a leader and then into a team’s pillar/strength. His
presence in playing XI squad is a booster for all other players.
If we literally ignore his career
runs, strike rate, average run-rate even after batting at No. 4, 5 or 6,
winning rate as captain and other analytical data, he still has plenty of
achievements listed adjacent to his name. Presumably, these “plenty of things”
differentiates him from other captains or cricketers.
MS Dhoni’s greatness is unwritten
and can only be felt. His grooming, his leadership, his skill of getting best
out of any player, his commitment, his dedication towards his duty for his
nation is unparalleled. He achieved everything that 22 yards’ cricket pitch can
offer. He is an epitome of a sportsman and the best part is, he has never tried
or proved himself to be one. He never begs or demands center-stage though his
actions perfectly justify him to ask for.
The way he left Test Cricket is one
of the episode of his generous personality. He was worthy of a grand farewell
from Test Cricket but he did not ask for even a simple good-bye. It is very
difficult to keep our legs grounded when our hands are penetrating beyond sky.
Amongst thousands of sugar-coated opinions, I love the comment from Adam Gilchrist when he was asked to say few
words about MS Dhoni. He said “People say they will pay to watch me, but I
would love to pay and watch MSD. He is not a second Gilchrist, he is first MS
Dhoni. Player like MSD is once in a generation event”.
Looking at his magic moments like lightning
fast stumping with fastest hands, his match finishing tactics, his running
between the wickets, his readiness according to run-time situation for Plan A,
plan B and even plan C, calculated risk taking abilities, his temperament, his
six-sense and our all-time favorite DRS (Dhoni Review System J), I feel this man is
not a magician, he is a miracle himself.
His run-out exit from 2019 World
Cup semifinal was as painful as India losing that match. We can never imagine
how he must have felt at that moment. Some experts feel that we will not see MS
again in Blue Jersey as he already has made his mind after that match but I
pray and wish, this never happens.
The kind of respect this player has
earned is exceptional. He is at par for all intangible things he has gifted to
Indian cricket. He is that sort of player who should be admired, not followed.
I always feel short of words when I
have to put my heart out for MSD. Some emotions are impossible to express and
so is a feeling named MSD.
An artist by action, a hero by
style, an idol for cricketers and a director of Indian cricket for almost 15
years now, will remain in our hearts as a symbol of character, calmness and
hope.
THALA MSD !!! J
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