A tribute to a modern cricket legend 'MSD'

I don't remember whether the jingle was made by Red FM or Radio mirchi, but here it goes:

'Dhoni ke lambe lambe baal, Dhoni ki mast mast chaal,

O Dhoni.. O Dhoni'

When he got the first break in Indian Cricket team, i remember media covering him as the kind of wicketkeeper that Dada (Saurav Ganguly..need i mention this) wanted. A person who can bat and also keep a bit. MSD's first story struck you with a bit of sympathy for the young lad, who had made it to the team by playing on rough fields in Jharkhand.

He came to the team and struck big time. Here we had another Sehwag in the making. In his own way of playing shots, some called it the 'Jharu pull' the way he swept the ball out of the park. And this guy could do it consistently. The 183 against Sri Lanka made sure that his style wasn't fluke. So did Indian Cricket get another Sehwag? Nope , even better.

This guy randomly made cricket captain for T-20 which neither Indian Team had domestically played, nor I guess the selectors ever took that version seriously. But surprise surprise!! after a long long time we won a cricket world cup. MSD who led India like a manner not seen in a long long time, created reasons for an entire nation to sing, dance, shout at the last misbah shot and dance when we held the cup. The nation had got a hero.

Now doubts emerged. When will this guy fail? He has been continuously doing well. Nobody succeeds for this long a time in Indian Cricket scenario. He was looked at with critical eyes full of envy by everyone around him. He was made captain of both ODI and eventually Test side of India. And again, this guy has not learnt to fail!! The Indian ODI side which could not win finals or a tournament for 8-10 times in a row, started winning. Yes, world cup was a big big disappointing event. But as I write this post Indian cricket team is creating History to become the No. 1 cricket team in Test ranking. And this has been from an effort of 18 months of playing in India, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa. Places where India was known to lose always. Many historical records broke in this process and even today one will be created.

Noteworthy points :

1) While he captained the side he had four former captains playing with him (sachin, dada, kumble and dravid) all of who had made name in cricket when this guy never even learnt to pick up a bat. But this guy led with great humility earning respect and love of one and all.

2) He was blunt. He knew how to answer back. Be it any opposition captain or even critical media, he could answer them all in their face. But while accepting success and failures, he humbly managed both.

3) He is the brand ambassador of the street smartness of India. The way he plays, the methods he employs in captaining the side. Its not conventional wisdom, its just the street smartness and his gut feel that makes him so successful.

4) And yes we did not get another Sehwag. MSD could actually mold his game so well as per situations. Changing his conventional style didn't earn him many fans but earned him amazing consistency. If you look at his records. Both in ODI and test they are just awesome. I hardly remember him getting out early in any important game for quite some long time now.

And as i write this, India have just become the no.1 side in test cricket.

In Prof. MKS style, I would say 'MSD I salute you' :) :)