Dhoni’s leadership will be difficult to match

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, India’s most successful captain announced his retirement from international cricket on Saturday with a cryptic post on Social Media. Dhoni led to  Team India to T20 World Cup victory in 2007 and ODI world cup win in 2011. Celebrities from B-Town and many politicians posted on Social Media to bid him goodbye and even shared their fond memories with the former Indian skipper. Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh shared a series of old photos with Dhoni and reminisced the time when he was just 22 and worked on a project just to be in Dhoni’s presence.

 

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This little gem of a photo is one of my prized possessions. It was taken around the year 2007/08 at ND Studio in Karjat. I was about 22 years old, working as an assistant director. I took up this particular job only because the ad film featured the one & only MS Dhoni. I was overworked and underpaid, but I didn’t care- I just wanted to be in His presence. I was even injured at the time, but I worked through the pain in the hope that as a reward for my sincere efforts, I would be granted a chance to briefly meet MSD and maybe get a photo with him. When I finally met him, I was completely awestruck. He was so humble, so down-to-earth, full of grace and exuded an unmistakable aura of kindness. My love, respect and reverence for him grew even stronger. After I did my first movie, Sapna (who was our common hairstylist at the time) called me one day and said ‘hey I know you’re a massive MSD fan, he’s shooting at Mehboob studio, come & meet him if you’d like’. Man-oh-man! I just dropped everything and rushed to the studio to meet him! He was jovial and warm and praised my performance in BBB. We hung out, I had my cap and jersey signed by him, like a true fanboy. That day, I felt like I was walking on the clouds! Since then, every time that I have the good fortune of meeting him, I am left energised and enthused, as if a big brother has blessed me with energy and motivation to go out and be the best that I can be. 🙏🏽 MSD is one of the greatest sportsmen to have ever lived. I’m lucky to have witnessed his playing career in my lifetime. A paragon of excellence. An icon of the sport. My hero forever. 🌟 Thank you Mahi Bhai for bringing glory to our great nation and filling a billion hearts with pride. 🇮🇳 #MSD the #GOAT 🐐

A post shared by Ranveer Singh (@ranveersingh) on Aug 15, 2020 at 10:40pm PDT

Since Dhoni announced retirement from international cricket, social media has been trending with only one name and messages from his fans have been flooding facebook,twitter,instagram platforms. Dhoni’s story had already been described in his biopic MS Dhoni: The Untold Story and his rise to the top after so much struggle is an inspiration for many youngsters. He is famous as one of the best finishers of the game and also for his very quick stumping. He also is known for being cool and calm even in high pressure situations and being the mastermind behind Team India’s victory in many important matches.

There are few who’ve represented the country so well for a long time. Few who’ve won it all. Few who’ve been role models to us. And then there is you, Mahi. Well done and proud of you my friend. Enjoy your brand new calendar with all those deserved rest days. @msdhoni

— Sunil Chhetri (@chetrisunil11) August 17, 2020

The Helicopter has landed but the ride will be unforgettable. Thank you @msdhoni for all the incredible memories 🇮🇳🏏🤗 You are and always will be the coolest one. Wish you all the best in life 👍 #Captaincool 🇮🇳 #Legend #India’sfinest #ting pic.twitter.com/p4VxVRz7QV

— Preity G Zinta (@realpreityzinta) August 17, 2020

.@msdhoni has mesmerized millions through his unique style of cricket. I hope he will continue to contribute towards strengthening Indian cricket in the times to come. Best wishes for his future endeavours.

World cricket will miss the helicopter shots, Mahi!

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 15, 2020

Your contribution to Indian cricket has been immense, @msdhoni. Winning the 2011 World Cup together has been the best moment of my life. Wishing you and your family all the very best for your 2nd innings. pic.twitter.com/5lRYyPFXcp

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 15, 2020

Every cricketer has to end his journey one day, but still when someone you’ve gotten to know so closely announces that decision, you feel the emotion much more. What you’ve done for the country will always remain in everyone’s heart…… pic.twitter.com/0CuwjwGiiS

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) August 15, 2020

To have a player like him,Mission Impossible. Na Koi Hai,Na Koi Tha, Na Koi Hoga MS ke jaisa. Players will come & go but there won’t be a calmer man like him. Dhoni with his connect with people having aspirations was like a family member to many cricket lovers. Om Finishaya Namah pic.twitter.com/glemkBUwWT

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) August 15, 2020

While fans may not see Dhoni play again in the Indian blue jersey, he will still be seen playing for Chennai Super Kings when Indian Premier League (IPL 2020) begins from September 19th in United Arab Emirates. Dhoni has led CSK to three titles so far and his fans would be hoping for a fourth one this time. The defending champions Mumbai Indians, led by Rohit Sharma, will face off Dhoni’s CSK in the inaugural game of IPL 2020. Even Rohit Sharma had a very special message for Dhoni on his retirement.

One of the most influential man in the history of Indian cricket👏His impact in & around cricket was massive. He was a man with vision and a master in knowing how to build a team. Will surely miss him in blue but we have him in yellow.

See you on 19th at the toss @msdhoni 👍😁 pic.twitter.com/kR0Lt1QdhG

— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) August 16, 2020

But now with Dhoni not going to Represent Team India, he will have a lot of time to focus on his other passions, one of those being his love for bikes. Dhoni’s fans know that has his garage is full of different bikes including Harley-Davidson. Dhoni also has a large collection of cars that includes Hummer H2, GMC Sierra pick-up truck, Porsche Boxter, Ferrari 500 GTO, Audi Q7, Mahindra Scorpio, and even a rare Rolls Royce Silver Shadow Series I.

 

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Classic bike at BFI,just fantastic

A post shared by M S Dhoni (@mahi7781) on Oct 5, 2014 at 8:11am PDT

But this decision was always coming as Dhoni was out of Indian team for majority of the time in last few years and his batting was not that explosive as it used to be. He used to take a lot of time to get set and played a lot of dot balls earlier in his innings which used to put pressure on other batsman.  With age also not on his side, selectors also were trying to groom other players like Rishabh Pant over the last few years to take Dhoni’s place in Indian side.

Dhoni is the first Indian captain who put a lot of stress on fitness and considered it as important as batting and bowling skills. He led by example in that department and never had room for those who lagged in running between the wickets and fielding. His leadership qualities have been something which will be hard to match, especially in the shorter format of the game. Even many corporates give his example when it comes to leadership skills.

Dhoni’s played his last ODI against New Zealand during the 2019 World Cup and  finished with 10,773 runs at an average of 50.57 in ODIs. In T20Is, Dhoni played 98 games, scoring over 1617 runs with a very good average of 37.61. He also led India to the big win in the inaugural T20 WC in 2007. In 90 Tests, he scored 4876 runs at an average of 38.09 and his highest score is 224.

With 634 catches and 195 stumpings making the total dismissals to 829, Dhoni finishes third on the list of wicket-keepers with most dismissals, only behind Mark Boucher (998) and Adam Gilchrist (905).