5 Eventful Highlights of Mahendra Singh Dhoni: A Small Tribute!

Back in the day, cricket had long been my favourite sport. There is no denial that as a kid, my one true love was cricket. In those days, I didn’t miss even a single match and also loved to play the sport all day long in my summer vacations. So when Mahendra Singh Dhoni announced his decision to step down as captain, it was a fairly melancholy news. Having witnessed all his playing days from the start of his International career, I want to recall a few of the highlights of that glorious course:

1. The massive 183 against Sri Lanka: In those days, when a target of 300 or nearer was set, it was near to an impossible task. Raining of sixes and fours were very rare cases. And with such low hopes, Dhoni decided to take on the mantle. Those towering sixes and thundering fours proved to be a delight in the eyes of a cricket lover. With that splendid ton, Dhoni truly stamped his arrival at the big stage! And his machine-gun styled celebration after completing his 100 was an icing on the cake! This score still holds the record for the highest individual score by a wicket-keeper batsman in an ODI. A gem of an innings that was!

2. The 2007 ICC T20 World Cup: In the history of cricket, very few underdog teams have gone on to win a tournament. Prior to this extravaganza, India had played only a sole T20 match and was quite surprisingly victorious in it! So India was the only team to have a 100% win rate before the tournament. T20 was a completely new concept for the Indian team. From that hilarious bowl-out against Pakistan in the group match, to that moment when Dhoni handed the ball to a completely new Joginder Sharma for the last over in the final and the nerve-ending win afterwards, the 2007 T20 World Cup has to be one of the most nostalgic moments in the history of Indian cricket! Thank you Dhoni!

3. The 2011 ICC World Cup: Notwithstanding the 2007 T20 World Cup, the 2011 ICC World Cup was played in relatively favourable conditions of the sub-continent. But in every previous World Cups, the home team had never ever won the Cup and hence, the equation was completely out of India’s favour. From the very first match against Bangladesh where Sehwag hit that roaring ton, to the moment when Dhoni promoted himself up the order in the final, India looked like the team to win the cup! And yes, that winning six over long on by MSD summed up the entire tournament! Hats off!

4. The 2013 ICC Champions Trophy: The closest India came to winning the Champions Trophy was way back in 2002, when India was almost invincible under Dada Ganguly in the entire tournament but had to share the cup with the Lankans, even after two finals! So in 2013, when India went into the final, I knew it was the big chance! And when England was almost taking the final away, Dhoni did something which only Dhoni does better. He brought in Ishant Sharma, who was expensive throughout the match but that comeback over, which completely turned the match. Ravi Bopara got out and subsequently, India won the ICC Champions Trophy! Dhoni is indeed a smart technician of the game! Bow down to Captain Cool!

5. The 2008 CB series win in Australia: Tours Down Under are always enduring and unforgettable. And when it comes to playing in Australian conditions, India hadn't done quite well in the past, barring the drawn test series in 2003-04. In the 2007-08 tour Down Under, when the test series had ended on a high, India had even soaring hopes in the triangular series. That series will go down as one of the most amazing tours under Dhoni. The two finals, along with the other matches saw MSD make some glorious decisions and his finishing abilities took a high note from that tour onwards. All Hail Dhoni!

In the winter of 2014, when Dhoni took the decision to retire from Test cricket, fans across the country went into monumental mourning! The magnitude of losing Dhoni can’t be compared to anything else, at least in cricket. Dhoni has been the face of Indian cricket long enough to be considered as one of the legends of the game. Watching Dhoni lead from the front in every match has been a merry sight. And his witty comments from behind the stumps will always be a joyous thing for the ears!

   Thank You Mahendra Singh Dhoni, our Captain Cool for all the memories!