19 Year-Old MS Dhoni Story That Should Inspire Generations

image-lkwjyxj7MS Dhoni and Dinesh Karthik [Twitter]

MS Dhoni, one of the greatest cricket captains, played his first India A match in 2004, when cricketer turned commentator Aakash Chopra was also in the team.

During India A's tour of Kenya in 2004, Dhoni was the backup keeper to Dinesh Karthik. Chopra, who was also in the team, recalled an incident involving Dhoni.

Dhoni was bowling in the nets to Karthik. On seeing this, Chopra asked Dhoni why he was bowling to Karthik, who, at that time, was Dhoni's competitor.


"It was the year 2004 when India A had the tour of Kenya and Zimbabwe. MS Dhoni was the reserve keeper and Dinesh Karthik played in the XI. Once as he was bowling to Karthik in the nets, I asked Dhoni 'Why are you bowling to him? He is your direct competition.

If he does well, you don't play in the XI. You should practice batting or keeping. Why bowling?' To this, Dhoni said 'Please don't stop me. I want to bowl. If you want to bat you can, I will bowl to you too'," Chopra said in a video shared on Twitter.

"When I look back, I realized the meaning of that incident and understood why only he has been able to achieve what he has. Dhoni wasn't competing against Dinesh Karthik or anybody else. He was competing with himself. So, there's the lesson. Be the best version of yourself because you are your biggest competition," Chopra added.

The ODI century against Pakistan in Vizag helped Dhoni cement his spot in the team, while Karthik was soon later sidelined. Dhoni went on to become the most successful captains in Indian cricket and also in the Indian Premier League.