When MS Dhoni Upheld Spirit Of Cricket Against An 'Angry Brian Lara'

image-lltgqbtyBrian Lara speaks with MS Dhoni during 2006 Antigua Test (Twitter)

MS Dhoni won hearts the world over when he recalled England batsman Ian Bell following his controversial runout during the 2011 Nottingham Test. However, the cricketer showed first signs of his unprecedented sportsmanship during the early stages of his international career itself.

The incident in question refers to Dhoni’s sporting decision during the 2006 Antigua Test, when his selfless gesture towards West Indies great Brian Lara averted a brewing on-field crisis from escalating further.

Dhoni bowed down to Lara’s request and averted crisis

The Indian team, under Rahul Dravid’s leadership, toured West Indies in 2006 with a 35-year-old monkey on their back. Having not registered a single Test series win in the Caribbean since 1981, much was expected from Dravid and co. to break the unwanted cycle.

A young MS Dhoni, in one of his earliest Test assignments, found his name among the travelling Indian troops following his impressive run in Pakistan a few months earlier.

In the first Test played out in Antigua, West Indies acquired a 130-run first innings lead at the halfway stage of the game. However, the Indians shrugged off the deficit with much contempt, and even mounted a fresh 391-run lead to set a mammoth target for the hosts.

Notably, the second Indian innings was marred with much controversy that took the sheen off Wasim Jaffer’s majestic 212. MS Dhoni, who arrived to the crease at 419-5, bludgeoned 69 from just 52 balls and pummelled six sixes in the process. He struck three of those in succession against West Indies spinner Dave Mohammed, only to be holed out near the boundary by Daren Ganga while attempting fourth straight hit over the fence.

Despite a seemingly clean catch, third umpire extensively pondered over the possibility of Ganga’s contact with boundary ropes before eventually giving it not out.

The decision, based on inconclusive evidence, irked then West Indies skipper Brian Lara who went ahead and argued with the on-field umpires. 

image-lltgrdhgBrian Lara argues with on-field umpires about MS Dhoni's third umpire decision (Twitter)

After the two officials expressed their reluctance in giving into Lara’s demands, the cricketing legend himself went to MS Dhoni and said that he is taking responsibility of his fielder’s word. 

Dhoni, in turn, respected the legend’s call and decided to walk off the field, thus avoiding an already-heightened on-field drama from escalating further.

The Test match itself ended in a thrilling Day 5 draw, after West Indies’ last wicket pair held on against a rampaging Anil Kumble.

However, it was Team India who emerged victorious at the end with a series win, thus scripting history in the Caribbean.