Indian Cricket was going through one of its worst times. India had been knocked out of the 2007 ODI World Cup. By Bangladesh. The country was in turmoil — upset, hurt, furious. It had become a boiling pot of emotions.
Several thousand kilometers away, in the land of the Proteas, a new international tournament was announced — the inaugural ICC World TwentyT20 championship.
This was a new format, unknown to many. Nations were still recovering from a grueling ODI World Cup. The dejected Indian legends refused to even participate in this new event, let alone captain the side. The reigns of the new T20 team were handed over to a young lad from Ranchi. Few people in India expected India to do well in this new world tournament. Most were too busy mourning the premature World Cup exit from a few months earlier.
This young Ranchi lad did something that made the world stand up and take notice.
He led a team full of young men to the inaugural World T20 crown. India may not have lifted the ODI World Cup in 2007, but this Ranchi lad gave his nation the T20 World Cup. This was no small feat for an inexperienced Indian team playing a completely new format under a new captain. This trophy was just the beginning. This Ranchi lad was eventually appointed as captain in all 3 formats. And boy did he make it count.
ICC Test Mace, ODI World Cup, ICC Champions Trophy. These are just some of the laurels that Mahendra Singh Dhoni has brought for his country. This is just the tip of the iceberg.
Standing as the unbreakable pillar of the Indian National Cricket Team for almost 15 years, captaining the country in all 3 formats, taking the brunt for every defeat, bearing the burden of a nation comprising of over a billion passionate fans, getting stones pelted at your home after the team loses a game, remaining in the shadows when teammates are celebrating deserved wins, and staying a good human being throughout all of this: It’s not easy. Yet, MS Dhoni played this role for over a decade.
Staying down to earth and remaining a good person despite reaching the dizzying heights of success is what makes a legend. That’s what MS Dhoni is: a legend, an inspiration, a role model, a friend, a mentor, and an absolute gem of a human being.
No matter how much criticism he receives, no matter what people say, they can never take away his achievements for his nation. They can never take away his legacy.
This legacy will be forever etched in history books, in the minds of several generations of fans everywhere.
On July 7, 2019, I said in a social media post, “Whenever this man bids adieu to the game, there will be a void. That void may eventually get filled, but it will never be the same.”
With the tunes of “Mai pal do pal ka shayar hun” and the words, “from 1929 hrs consider me as Retired,” ringing in our ears, that void has been created.
No longer will Kuldeep and Chahal hear that familiar, reassuring voice from behind the stumps. No longer will the bowlers get witty advice from a cricketing mastermind from behind the stumps. No longer will Indians sit carefree despite losing 5 wickets, knowing that their Mahi is still out there. No longer will we say “Dhoni sambhaal lega.”
And most importantly, no longer will we see the man we love walking out in the beautiful blue jersey, with India stamped across his chest, “Jana Gana Mana” on his lips, and the number 7 glowing on his back. No longer will we see the name we all crave: Dhoni.
From the dashing long-haired batsman, to the salt-and-pepper bearded Captain Cool, the journey has been a bittersweet one, both for him and his fans.
There will be new wicketkeeper batsmen. There will be new players who batter the cricket ball. There will be new captains. But, no matter what happens, there will only be one MSD.
One Mahi. One Dhoni. One Thala.
Thank you Mahendra Singh Dhoni ❤
