Growing up watching India play, I remember how the team lacked a perfect wicket keeper who can hit the ball hard and also can bat through with the tail enders.
I always wanted a keeper more like my favourite-Gilchrist.
2004, a year after the hefty loss against the mighty Australian team in the World Cup finals.
I always wanted a keeper more like my favourite-Gilchrist.
The team was forced to free Dravid from the wicket keeping position so that he could concentrate more on his batting without pressure.
There was a huge void in the team as the two other keepers-Dinesh Karthik(DK) and Parthiv Patel lacked consistency in the ODIs. Though they continued to keep wickets for the test matches.
Way back-in 2004, I don't remember the exact date.
When I was looking through the newspaper, I saw a new name in the squad for the tour of Bangladesh. Being an ardent fan of Tamil Nadu boy DK, I was like "yaara ivan, Dhoni?"
Thanks to his India-A performances which caught the eye of Captain Dada and the selectors.
I was keen to watch this guy play because he seemed odd with that hairstyle. It was a disappointment for me because he got out for a duck on his debut and the entire series was a flop for him.
Still, Dada backed him up believing in his hard hitting abilities. He was selected for the Pakistan series. I was not okay with that as I was rooting for DK.
I remember this Pakistan series.
This match particularly, the second ODI.
Dada took the gamble of sending Dhoni right after Sachin got out.
One end, it was Sehwag.
I can still picturise how nervous Dhoni was at the beginning. When Sehwag started to hit hard at one end, Dhoni became comfortable at the other end and started to establish himself.
I furthermore remember how Inzamam has to bring Afridi even when the field restrictions were on due to the pressure. It made it easy for Sehwag to score freely.
Dada took the gamble of sending Dhoni right after Sachin got out.
One end, it was Sehwag.
I can still picturise how nervous Dhoni was at the beginning. When Sehwag started to hit hard at one end, Dhoni became comfortable at the other end and started to establish himself.
I furthermore remember how Inzamam has to bring Afridi even when the field restrictions were on due to the pressure. It made it easy for Sehwag to score freely.
When Sehwag got out, Dhoni got another great company in the name of Dravid who made him feel even more comfortable. Dhoni went on to score 123-ball 148.
Those days, run-a-ball knock was itself a great deal. When someone comes and plays a knock like this, considering particularly the opponent, our arch rivals, it cannot go unnoticed.
Those days, run-a-ball knock was itself a great deal. When someone comes and plays a knock like this, considering particularly the opponent, our arch rivals, it cannot go unnoticed.
I can recollect how every newspaper, news channel covered his story.
I used to read W.V.Raman's column regularly in the Hindu newspaper. I still remember the bits of his article about the match. The headlines read as (I remember it vaguely) something like, "Huge leap by Dhoni"
I used to read W.V.Raman's column regularly in the Hindu newspaper. I still remember the bits of his article about the match. The headlines read as (I remember it vaguely) something like, "Huge leap by Dhoni"
Though I wasn't wholly impressed by him, I adored his fearlessness.
There was this interview I remember, where he said, "It is in my nature to be aggressive."
I was surprised to hear something like that because aggression isn't really a common thing that time.
As I penned earlier, I always wanted a keeper who can play knocks like Gilchrist. That one knock and people already began to compare him with the Australian legend.
Though I wasn't charmed with that comparison as it was too early. I was eager enough to see whether Dhoni proves the comparison worthy.
Then came this series. India vs Srilanka.
I remember the date too. October 31, 2005. I was on my vacation that day to my cousin's place and we were all lying there watching the first innings where the Lankans scored almost 300.
Those days, scores above 250 weren't as easy as it is now.
So it was going to be a tough chase I knew. It was that time of Indian's cricket, when our top three collapsed, we used to turn off the television. Similar way, there wasn't much contribution from the top three batsmen that match. My whole family gave up on the match and went to have their noon nap.
I'm always that person who believes miracles do happen. I never switch off the tv even if we need 13 runs from 1 ball. I also remember telling this,"avanga keeper dhaane century adichan(referring to Sanga's ton), namma keeper'um adipaan paarunga"
As always, no one bought me. So, I was the only one who was watching the match. It was only when Venugopal Rao came in, my family woke up to feel bad for what they have missed- One of the greatest knocks under pressure. 183* off 145 balls.
I was happy for this guy and was fascinated with the way he took his team to the victory.
Personally, I was more happy with my prediction that day. Normally you know, it fails.
There was this interview I remember, where he said, "It is in my nature to be aggressive."
I was surprised to hear something like that because aggression isn't really a common thing that time.
As I penned earlier, I always wanted a keeper who can play knocks like Gilchrist. That one knock and people already began to compare him with the Australian legend.
Though I wasn't charmed with that comparison as it was too early. I was eager enough to see whether Dhoni proves the comparison worthy.
Then came this series. India vs Srilanka.
I remember the date too. October 31, 2005. I was on my vacation that day to my cousin's place and we were all lying there watching the first innings where the Lankans scored almost 300.
Those days, scores above 250 weren't as easy as it is now.
So it was going to be a tough chase I knew. It was that time of Indian's cricket, when our top three collapsed, we used to turn off the television. Similar way, there wasn't much contribution from the top three batsmen that match. My whole family gave up on the match and went to have their noon nap.
I'm always that person who believes miracles do happen. I never switch off the tv even if we need 13 runs from 1 ball. I also remember telling this,"avanga keeper dhaane century adichan(referring to Sanga's ton), namma keeper'um adipaan paarunga"
As always, no one bought me. So, I was the only one who was watching the match. It was only when Venugopal Rao came in, my family woke up to feel bad for what they have missed- One of the greatest knocks under pressure. 183* off 145 balls.
I was happy for this guy and was fascinated with the way he took his team to the victory.
Personally, I was more happy with my prediction that day. Normally you know, it fails.
The year 2007, and it was the first T20 world cup.
Not many took T20 seriously those days and also thought that it was the game for youngsters. Deciding to move forward with a young team, India needed a captain.
When Sachin spotted a talent, that guy has to be special. The captaincy crown was given to Dhoni and the rest is you know, history.
I wasn't able to see any other matches live except the India vs NewZealand.
The score updates in the news channels were the only possible way and we had telecast only for the finals. How many would have thought that this team will reach the finals?
"In the airrrr, Sreesanth takes it, India wins" every time I hear this, I get that feeling which I cannot put it in words.
There started his great career of captaincy.
Soon he took over the captaincy in every format. He was able to captain in such a way that the team went on to win almost all the tournaments.
Once a ticket collector, through his sheer hard work he became "the thalaivan" for his fans. Thanks to the IPL and CSK, he did win fans along with the cups.
I always wondered who will take over that stardom among the fans, when Sachin retires. Dhoni obviously not have replaced the stardom of Sachin but he did create one for himself.
Though he captained and helped the team to win many matches and tournament, The World Cup which he won for his country, for Sachin is always my favorite moment.
"Dhoni finishes off in style" will remain ringing in my ears.
Personally, I'm not a "big fan" of Dhoni, not a hater either. Being the die hard fan of SRT, Mumbai Indians was/is my favorite but certainly I cannot hate CSK. I was/is always blue or yellow for me.
I loved the way,
He kept cool in the pressure.
He was ready to take those risks- take 2007 world cup final over-Joginder Sharma preference over Bhajji.
He finished matches with great ease- still 183* is my favorite.
He groomed and gave chances for Rohit, Ashwin in ODIs.
He proved that comparison with Gilly is worthy now.
He mastered the helicopter shot which Sachin failed to after playing it once or twice.
He silenced his critics with performances.
He was able to do stumpings at that speed like faster than speed of light.
There are many things in which Dhoni have inspired me. I'm failing to write here because I don't find the exact words.
Happy Birthday, Dhoni!
Happy Birthday, Dhoni!
Comments
Post a Comment