From The Streets Of Ranchi To The Road Of Glory: MS Dhoni Best In The Career
Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Twitter)
You'd probably think the phrase, the man, the myth, the legend is just a song, but you'd believe it if you've ever seen Mahendra Singh Dhoni walk on the field and play like an absolute icon. Whether scoring 148 runs against arch-rivals Pakistan or winning the World T20 and ODI World Cup, this man broke all the what-ifs and achieved a career full of achievements every milli-second, and continues to do so even today.
Ever since Dhoni stepped on the field, he has paved a path that awaits nothing but three essential ingredients: calmness, composure and belief within oneself to be headstrong enough to achieve anything and just about everything.
In an attempt to highlight MS Dhoni and his legendary footsteps, here are some moments from Thala's career that are unarguably and indisputably his best:
A Legend In The Making
The year was 2003, Dhoni had just scored 362 runs in six innings and garnered the attention of cricket legends Sourav Ganguly and Ravi Shastri. Being chosen for the Bangladesh series, MSD demonstrated his abilities and the world saw what lied ahead of them - a legend in the making.
In a crucial match against Sri Lanka, he played an unbeaten innings of 183 runs from 145 balls, leading India to victory by successfully chasing down a target of 299. In the ensuing Pakistan series, Dhoni managed to score two half-centuries and a match-winning 77 runs off just 56 balls in the final match, which secured a 4-1 series victory for India.
The 2007 T20 World Cup
Initially, back in 2007, the BCCI was hesitant to participate in the ICC's experiment of a World Cup in the shortest format. After India's unimpressive performance in the 50-over World Cup, a team led by him, consisting of mostly new players, was sent for the World T20. The team featured skilled players like Sehwag, Gambhir, Harbhajan, and Yuvraj.
MS Dhoni led the Indian team to victory in the shortest format World Cup after a disappointing 50-over World Cup. He not only displayed exceptional leadership but also played a crucial role in the batting lineup by scoring 154 runs throughout the season. As a legendary figure in cricket, Dhoni's contribution to the team was significant in both captaincy and batting.
No. 7's 2011 Heroics
Just prior to the tournament, the Indian captain sustained an injury while playing a warm-up match against South Africa. The injury was significant enough that he was unable to play in the opening match against Bangladesh, leading to concerns about his potential impact on the team's campaign.Despite the injury, the wicketkeeper was resolute in his determination to participate in the World Cup final.
During the final against Sri Lanka, India faced a difficult situation after losing Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag early in the match. However, MS Dhoni made a bold decision to promote himself to the number five position before Yuvraj Singh. He then formed a strong partnership with Gautam Gambhir and played an outstanding unbeaten innings of 91 runs. As a result, he was named the Player of the Match. The six that Dhoni hit off a delivery by Nuwan Kulasekara to secure victory has become an iconic moment that is fondly remembered by cricket fans worldwide.
He demonstrated remarkable bravery and persistence, exemplified by his calm and composed leadership during the match, and his heroic innings of 91 not out. This performance earned him the admiration and respect of millions of Indian cricket fans, who lauded his display of courage and determination on the field.
A Tale For Generations To Come
The year 2013 saw MS Dhoni guide India to triumph in the ICC Champions Trophy, making him the sole captain to have won all three of the major ICC tournaments. His captaincy, coupled with his strategic expertise and sound decision-making, was instrumental in India's achievement during the tournament.
Rohit Sharma, a well-known opening batsman today with eminent achievements of his own, but only some are aware that MS Dhoni made the crucial decision to give him the opportunity to open the innings during a significant ICC event. A decision that proved to be a turning point in Rohit Sharma's career, and has given him the chance to enjoy tremendous success as an opener ever since.
During the final, Dhoni also boldly decided to hand the 18th over to Ishant Sharma, despite his expensive performance that day. However, this decision ultimately paid off, as Ishant Sharma took two wickets in two balls, helping India secure victory in the tournament. This triumph made Dhoni the first and only captain to win all major ICC trophies.
Unstoppable, Fiery & Limitless
MS Dhoni's final major event as the captain of the Indian National Cricket team did not have a fairy-tale ending, as the team lost in the semi-finals against the West Indies.
However, one of the most memorable moments for Dhoni during the tournament was when India defeated Bangladesh by just 1 run, with Hardik Pandya taking 3 wickets in the last 3 balls, including a stunning runout by MS Dhoni.
Is There Anything G.OA.T. Hasn't Achieved?
MS Dhoni with the VIVO IPL Trophy 2021 (IPLT20.COM)
The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is one of the most successful teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL), having won the tournament three times under the leadership of MS Dhoni. Dhoni's leadership skills and calm demeanour have been instrumental in CSK's success in the IPL.
Dhoni's ability to back his players and provide them with the confidence to perform under pressure has been a key factor in the team's success. He has also been known for his tactical acumen, making shrewd decisions on the field and adjusting the team's strategy according to the situation.
His leadership has also been evident in the way he has developed young talent and given them opportunities to shine in the IPL. Players like Ravindra Jadeja, Faf du Plessis, and Deepak Chahar have all flourished under his guidance.
Overall, Dhoni's leadership has been a major contributing factor to CSK's success in the IPL, and his impact on the team and the league as a whole cannot be overstated.
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