By Pratap Simha, Mysuru-Kodagu MP

World cricket has witnessed several big names and classic cricket matches over the years. But there was no ‘Helicopter Shot’ until Mahendra Singh Dhoni stepped into the cricketing grounds from Ranchi, a small town in the State of Jharkhand. Until then, Yorker was thought to be the bowler’s most deadly weapon. Saving wicket by playing defensively was the only option, but Dhoni invented this exceptional shot and taught how to send a Yorker ball out to the boundary! As a result, fearsome bowlers were made to think twice before using their weapons. His helicopter shot has won numerous matches for us. How can we ever forget M.S. Dhoni who shot his super six in the final over to win the 2011 World Cup final?

The year was 2013, the final match of tri-series between India, Sri Lanka and West Indies. The pitch favoured bowlers, as there was uneven bounce. Batting first, Sri Lanka could only make 201 runs on board with the help of Sangakkara who had scored brilliant 71. Chasing this modest total, India soon was in deep trouble at 152 for 7. Dhoni was batting at the other end with just 4 runs off 16 deliveries. The wickets kept tumbling. India’s score was 167 runs for 8 wickets, but Dhoni was refusing to take even a few easy runs in between.

He seemed to shoulder all the responsibility on his own, but soon the score became 182 for 9. Ishant Sharma’s batting ability is very well known. India needed 17 runs from 9 balls. The next two balls gave only two runs. Ishant Sharma was hesitant to face the last delivery of the 49th over.

Dhoni signalled the dressing room and asked them to bring a heavy bat for him. Sri Lankan team was on the toes to finish the game soon. Shaminda Eranga had already swamped the top order in his nine overs and had taken two wickets for just 23 runs. In the last over, Dhoni fails to reach the first ball of Eranga. Second delivery goes for a six, so nine runs needed in the next four balls. The next delivery goes to the boundary in the point region. Now, five runs off three balls. Then, the most eagerly awaited moment was there. Dhoni smacks the next delivery over the extra cover for six. This is the reason why we all call Dhoni a match-winner.

M.S. Dhoni has won several matches for India. No matter whichever the team is or whoever the bowler is, If Dhoni is at crease, all of us have felt a quiet confidence that he will do some magic and win the match for us.

In the year 2011, India team relied heavily on Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag. However, in the 2011 World Cup Final match, all of them had failed miserably with Virender Sehwag scoring 0, Tendulkar 18 and Virat Kohli 35. Then, Dhoni came to bat in the middle, higher up the order and the rest is now history. In the history of World Cup, it is still remembered as one of the best performances of a cricket team captain.

M.S. Dhoni is the only Indian captain to have won all the three major ICC trophies — the T20 World Cup in 2007, the World Cup in 2011, the Champions Trophy in 2013; and the Asia Cup too. He is also the only captain to have won both the IPL and the Champions League.

Dhoni is not only the best captain that India has ever had, but also one of the best in the world. He was not just one of the best but he always stood in the first three spots in all categories. Dhoni’s run scoring average as a captain is 53.93 just below the South African captain AB de Villiers (65.92) who tops the list. Vivian Richards is one of the best cricket batsmen the world has ever seen. His lifetime batting average was 57.39, but as a captain was just 38.81. Even Sachin Tendulkar who is popularly known as the ‘God of Cricket’ could not handle captaincy.

Dhoni ranks fourth in the list of wicketkeeper-batsmen who have won most number of ‘Man of the Match’ awards. As a captain, he has won 15 ‘Man of the Match’ awards. He is also the most successful captain in T20 matches. Dhoni also ranks second in the list of skippers who have won the most number of ODIs after Ricky Ponting who is ranked no. 1 in the World.

Dhoni’s uniqueness lies in his ability to respond to tough situations with a sense of calm. Dhoni’s composure, self belief and excellent decision making under pressure is what makes him unique. 

Which bowler is going to bowl at the last moment? How many balls are remaining? How many runs to score? Which bowler would be bowling the last over? Who should be targeted? Amidst all these calculations, Dhoni never seemed to be under pressure. Even if he had to score 20 runs in the last over, he always kept his cool, not letting his emotions show. Perhaps this unique ability of Dhoni made bowlers restless and brought their morale down.

Perhaps this “measured” attitude to situations is what kept him going even when in his first international debut match against Bangladesh he was run out for zero! But on his fifth ODI, he scored 148 off 123 balls against Pakistan. All the cricket fans, for the first time, got a glimpse of what this quite man was capable of.

Now, Dhoni may have said goodbye to International cricket but will continue to be part of the game as he plays for Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL). As an experienced player, youngsters need his guidance.

Also Dhoni bats well off the field too. In press conferences, on several occasions, he has hit sixes. Once, at a press conference held abroad, a foreign journalist asked him, “When will you retire?” Others might have been annoyed with this question, but ‘Captain Cool’ called the journalist on stage and asked, ‘Don’t you think I’m fit while on the crease?” When he replied affirmatively, Dhoni then asked him, “If you look at my fitness and ability to run between the wickets, don’t you think I can play 2019 World Cup?” And again, foreign journalist nodded yes. Dhoni ended the press conference by saying “you have answered your own question.”

Cricket lovers might have a lot to learn from Dhoni, but we too have a number of life lessons to learn from his cricket — We need to learn equanimity and acceptance from him. We should learn not to be afraid of failures and not to get carried away with success either.

Today, small issues drive us crazy. In no time, we get angry and shout at others. Then we look at Dhoni, losing a match or dropping a catch, no matter what the situation, we have never seen Dhoni shouting, pointing his fingers at others or looking impatient or confused. Dhoni’s cricket has taught this — be calm, be thoughtful, be responsible, be in the present — be ‘Captain Cool’ in your life.