And Dhoni finishes off in style !

MS Dhoni has retired ! The day we were all afraid of has come! I am deeply pained by this fact but at the same time I can’t help but smile at what has been an incredible journey of 16 years ! Growing up I didn’t have a clue about cricket and could only associate it with two names Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni. I was a fan of Dhoni from the start but not because I watched him play or knew anything about him but because everyone around me loved him. It was only when I started watching and understanding cricket that I realised the reason. 

There is a very interesting book I would like to suggest every cricket fan to read. It is called “Numbers Don’t lie”.

It is written by Aakash Chopra and is an incredible read in all sorts of ways. First of all , it doesn’t only mention the runs scored or the wicket taken, it is much more than that. The number of factors that play into each situation is different and we just can’t judge players from numbers. This book has been written in 2017 but I believe it is still consistent for MSD as he is the most ‘consistent’ player in the history of ODI cricket. He has played the role of a captain( which is mentally draining), a wicket-keeper (which is very physically tiring) and a key batsman (which is not an easy role in a country like India). Moreover he came to bat at 6 or 7th number which makes it even more difficult as he has to come in and either save India from a tough spot or hit sixes and finish the game well. If he fails to do that, people start posting news-headlines, stories and posts about “MSD should retire”.

The 37th chapter from Numbers don't lie

Even after all this is the most CONSISTENT. Says a lot about him as a player! But it is MS Dhoni, the captain that impresses me the most. The calm and collected, our captain cool! His brilliant mind has brought India out of numerous tough situations and has awed everyone. The way his mind works is unbelievable! It is however one thing as a captain that he does which has brought him this far, his ability to back the players and most importantly himself. All's not lost till it is actually lost. Before Dhoni arrived at the scene, as soon as Sachin Tendulkar used to get out , the televisions used to be switched off. There was no hope after him. However the post Dhoni era brought out  a lot of hope. People stayed glued till the end! If Dhoni is batting , till the last ball, the game is not done. 

“If 15 Runs Are Needed Off The Last 6 Balls, Pressure Is On The Bowler & Not On MS Dhoni.” – Ian Bishop

His Backing and incredible trust in players who you would have never made it this far without him. Yes, Rohit sharma is one of them. My favourite batsman/player/cricketer would have not been as amazing as he is, if not for MSD! He backed a batsman who batted at number 6-7 and who is a bowling all rounder to open directly in the first match of Champions Trophy in 2013 ! Well who would have thought that 7 years later he would be the current best opener scoring 5 tons in a world cup ! There are numerous other players he has picked but I will talk only about Rohit Sharma cause he is my favourite and also this will become a way too long if I write about others. Although feel free to comment on who else you think he has influenced and I would love to discuss it with you!

MS Dhoni is known for the way he plays and the way he is.There are a lot of ways I can describe him and tell about him- Mahi, Captain cool, Iceman, the only captain to win all three ICC trophies, The unconventional wicket keeper! All those lightning fast stumping! Superman fitness( think about the number of squats he does while wicket-keeping)! all those sixes! the helicopter shots! The finisher ! The man ! The legend! 

But above all I believe he has an amazing personality! There is something so loveable about MSD that we are so attracted to. It could be like calm and collected demeanor, his genuineness , his humbleness and the list goes on! But for me , I find something in him that I find so sweet and candid. Which is something he has kept a hold on since his childhood but that didn't stop him from maturing into a very responsible man ! Well anyone who can carry the weight of being the leader of Indian team for so long and also taken it to such great heights is obviously very responsible.

Also everything he does is for a reason. He doesn’t want big farewell matches. He wants to leave quietly. After collecting the winners trophy which the captain has to collect, he goes off to the side and enjoys watching his teammates celebrate. If the team loses he himself faces the situation. A lot of people are saying that he finished everything in style but they think he didn't do it with his career. However, I would disagree with it. This is MSD’s style! He has left in his fashion. No one has ever been able to guess what was going on in his mind when he was on the field and we couldn’t tell even when he was off it as well! Be it giving the ball to Joginder Sharma to bowl the last over in the 2007 world cup to choosing to walk down the dressing room in 2011  when everyone was expecting Yuvraj Singh.All his moves are unexpected!But like I said everything he does is for a reason and we have all learnt to follow it! His timing of retirement was also a special number. The time 07:29 confused everyone but it is not random.If converted to 24 hour format it is 19:29 and-

“Angel Number 1929 brings a message that you have completed a major phase or cycle in your life and this has brought closure to projects and/or ways of doing and 'being'. Your angels support and encourage you to continue along your path, knowing that you are heading in the right direction.”

He has truly completed a major phase in his life . There is a lot more that can be said about him and I could go on for ever but let me end by saying this-

Thank you for all the memories Mahi, you will be terribly missed by everyone , not only Indians but the whole world! You have a special place in all our hearts!

You will always be my captain!