Captain cool at 30 A composed mind is the key to Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s success, says Bikash Mohapatra The Magnificent Seven
A30 SPORTS
The number 7 and Mahendra Singh Dhoni have
an interesting relationship.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the Indiancricketcaptainwho turned 30 July 7, has
become an inspiration for small-
town cricket enthusiasts who dare
to dream of playing for India.
At the beginning of his career the
Ranchi, Jharkhand-born player was
an instant success with the bat, scor-
ing a century in both his fifth one
day international (2005) as well as
his fifth Test. And when entrusted
with the task of captaining the
Indian cricket team, he delivered
instantly, leading the squad to win
the T20 World Cup in 2007.
In 2008, when incumbent Test
captain Anil Kumble was forced to
sit out injured in the third Test
against South Africa in Kanpur,
Dhoni was the obvious choice to
take charge. It was a tough match
with India down by 0-1 in the series,
but he kept his cool to ensure a
favorable result.
In the 11 Tests that followed,
Dhoni conjured up an impeccable
record, winning eight and drawing
three, leading India to the top rank-
ing in international cricket, culmi-
nating in the cricket World Cup tri-
umph in April.
But Dhoni has not let success get
his head and he understands very
well what he needs to do in order to
lead the Indian side.
“The hype and pressure is nothing
new,” he explained once, when asked
if he feels the pressure of expecta-
tions. “It’s been a part of Indian
cricket for a long time now. You just
need to keep your focus and not get
affected by what is happening
around you.”
Sachin Tendulkar has called him
the best captain that he had ever
played under. ‘The maturity and
alertness he shows is tremendous,
he reads the situation well and
works accordingly,’ said the Master
Blaster.
Gary Kirsten, the former India
coach, also heaped praise on Dhoni
after India’s World Cup win. ‘He is a
leader by example,’ the South
African said. ‘I have never seen a
player give as much effort to every
game. I’ve never seen him lose his
temper. He loves taking responsibil-
ity and when the team loses, no one
feels it more than him.’
He was born July 7.
Mahi’s top five
innings
ADNAN ABIDI/REU TERS
148 vs Pakistan in Vishakhapatnam, India
In his fifth One Day International, playing against
Pakistan in April 2005, Dhoni came to the crease at the fall
of the first wicket (Sachin Tendulkar’s) and scored 148, the
highest ever by an Indian wicketkeeper (which he
improved upon subsequently). His effort helped India get
past a huge total (356-9) to win by 58 runs.
183* vs Sri Lanka in Jaipur, India
A spectacular, unbeaten 138 by Kumar Sangakkara
helped the Lankans score 298-4. Tendulkar was dismissed
cheaply when Dhoni came in to bat. His 145-ball spectacle
consisted of 15 boundaries and ensured India’s win by six
wickets, with about four overs to spare. The knock remains
Dhoni’s highest in ODIs.
76* vs England at Lord’s, England
Arguably his best Test innings ever, Dhoni’s unbeaten 76
was crucial in the context of the series. India, chasing 380
to win in the fourth innings in the first Test, were in trouble at 145-5. Dhoni came in and turned the game over to
ensure a draw. India won the second Test at Trent Bridge
and went on to pocket their first series win in England in
21 years.
100* vs Sri Lanka in Mumbai, India
Another memorable Test innings. After Sri Lanka were
dismissed for 393, a whirlwind 293 by Virender Sehwag
ensured the home team a solid platform. Dhoni came in to
bat at No 7 and his quick fire hundred, inclusive of three
boundaries and six mammoth sixes, helped India declare
at 726-9, their highest Test score ever.
91* vs Sri Lanka in Mumbai, India
Dhoni finished the ICC World Cup in style with a match-winning six. In the final India were in trouble at 114-3,
chasing a formidable 275, Dhoni decided to promote himself up the batting order. He put on 109 runs for the fourth
wicket with Gautam Gambhir (97) and a 54-run stand for
the fifth wicket with Yuvraj Singh (21 not out).
Triumphant Turbanator Triumphant Turbanator
Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh became the third Indian bowler and
11th overall to take 400 wickets in Test cricket. Playing his 96th
match, Harbhajan achieved the feat when he bowled Carlton
Baugh on the second day of the third and final cricket Test
against the West Indies.
