Kiss, Kick or Slap: Mahendra Singh Dhoni

He is considered the most successful Indian Cricket captain. Naturally. Courtesy of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Team India bled some serious blue and won the World Cup this year. And thus, we bow to ya a billion times. But erm, something went totally wrong with the otherwise pretty sharp MS Dhoni. With India doing rather averagely as they tour England, it was rather odd that MS Dhoni decided that after a peculiar run out, an English player should be called back to play.

This is how it went down.

Ian Bell was on the crease playing what is being deemed as one of his finest innings. At 137 not out, the last ball before tea break was bowled to Bell. The ball was hit and it seemed to go all the way to the boundary. At least the fielder, Praveen Kumar, though as much. He returned the ball back to the wicket keeper (Dhoni) who hit the stumps after the batsmen thought the over was done and were on their way back to the pavilion.

Confused? So am I.

Anyway, this confusion caused big time tamasha amongst the fans and umpires. It was during the tea break that Dhoni decided to withdraw his decision and allow Bell back to the crease. In the bargain, India went on to lose the match.

The critics claim that Dhoni displayed an incredible amount of honorable sportsmanship. The skeptics believe he made a grave decision. The fans claim there was no need for him to play Mother Teresa and question the likelihood of an Indian win if this hoopla didn’t take place.

However, the million dollar question is, what would Gabbar have done? Maar diya jaye ke chor diya jaye?


M.S. Dhoni: Kiss, Kick or Slap:

An Ode to Team India

Beloved Team India,

Team India: World Champions!

I love cricket. No wait, I love, heart, pyar, ishq, mohabbat the sport. Ask anyone and they’ll tell you, “Roshni is the mistress of cricket!” I'm not your average team India fan. I don't just get happy when team India wins, I cry my eyes out. I don't get upset when the team loses, I find myself sulking for days. I'm not sure what my connection with cricket is. I was all of eleven when my Father introduced me to the sport. We were shopping for my uncles wedding and I found myself surprised to find every store in Mumbai equipped with a television surrounded its employees. I question the infatuation and guess what? It hit me like a googly. I was bowled out, middle stump. After I learned the basics and intricate details, I found myself mesmerized, addicted, obsessed. From then on, I became a team India cricket fanatic following the team through all their tours and even the 2007 World Cup. I knew then, I was hooked for life. It wasn't as though I became a team India fan by default. Yes, I love India, everyone knows that but I genuinely believed (and still do) in the temperament and future of Indian cricket. The talent was (and is) incredible. Like every cricket fan, I too was waiting with baited breath for the team to take home the Cricket World Cup. With every win over the last few years, the team proved more and more, that they deserved it. On April 2nd, 2011, it happened. You, team India, fulfilled the ultimate Indian cricket fans dream: you won the Cricket World Cup on home ground.

As soon as the skipper hit the last sixer out of the stadium, I closed my eyes and said a silent prayer. And then I did what I didn't think I would do: I cried. Why I bawled? I'll never know. Maybe it was because of sheer pride for my country. Maybe it was because as a cricket fan, I saw my team, whom I loved and followed for years now, complete a dream that every fan wished for. Or maybe it was just one of those moments where happiness couldn't be expressed in any other way but sheer tears. In fact, it took me a few hours for this reality to sink in before the rona-dona completely stopped.

I'm not sure what incentive you boys went in with. Whether it was for to prove to the world, that you are indeed are the best, or it was to give Sachin the best farewell World Cup or for just for the country. Whatever your incentive, my boys, you played like complete champions. From the first match through to the final, you proved that you really are world class cricketers in every sense of the way and put every critic, who didn't think you lads could do it, to shame.

Like fans all over, I too watched in horror when Dhoni walked onto the pitch ahead of Yuvraj. “What on earth!” I thought. And I'll be honest, I have been skeptical of M.S. Dhoni as a captain. Not because he isn't capable of producing results. No. He is India's most successful captain and has proved it time and time again. His selfless attitude is one that is admirable in every which way. Dhoni's love for his boys and his eagerness for them to perform is beautiful. But it's his arrogance that irked me. However, at the final, he really outdid himself. His decision to come in and take care of the game was one that I’ll never question. What I believed would bring him down, he worked to his advantage. There was pressure but at no point did he display it nor did he crumble. Straight faced he handled it. And then, when it was really needed, the skipper played the ultimate captain’s innings. To you, I owe an apology. In all honesty, this World Cup would have been impossible without you. Captain Cool, you rock!

And how can I forget the one man whom I look up to, admire and worship in the cricket world, Mr. Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar. The joy I felt when I saw you being carried by the team around the grounds, flag and cup in hand, is one that I will never forget. There is and will never be a cricketer like you. You style, grace and humility can never be imitated. And I assure you, not only me, but Indians all over including your team, will agree with me. Sachin Tendulkar, thank you for making Indian cricket what it is today. We love you!

Lastly, while we all sit and go on about the team without giving the man who changed the face of this team: Gary Kirsten. We see so little of him, but it is really the South African coach who turned things around for Team India. The team we see today, a world class team, is only because of him. The whole country salutes you, Gary. Kudos!

I never doubted you Team India. Even when it looked tough out there, I had faith in you boys. And every time you pulled through like true champions. As Indians, we couldn't be more proud of you all. We prayed hard, over one billion of us. We chanted shloks, hymns and prayer beads at every match. And yes, we all succumbed to strange superstitions – staying seated in the same chair for an entire innings if we needed to as we were scared things would fall apart if we moved. But you gave us exactly what we wanted: dhinchak, bindaas, fultoo cricket followed by the biggest jeet, any Indian could ask for.

As I sit to write this piece today, it is April 3rd 2011. A whole day has passed since the victory and it happens to be my birthday. A few weeks ago, I was asked, "What do you want for a birthday present?" My answer: "For India to win the Cricket World Cup." Thank you for giving me the best birthday present any Indian cricket fan could ask for. Nothing could substitute for a better present. Not a diamond ring, not a million bucks, not even a Bollywood blockbuster. As for the party? Well, a party that has been 28 years in the making has to be fab! Ask people on the streets in India who partied like it was millennium.

Men in Blue, M.S. Dhoni, Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Munaf Patel, Sreesanth, Ashish Nehra, Piyush Chawla, R. Ashwin and Yusuf Pathan, Congratulations! We won!

Love always:
A proud Indian, a Desi girl who loves cricket, vows to Bleed Blue forever and the happiest birthday girl in the world!

Dev vs. Dhoni, 1983 vs. 2011

We all gush over Sachin Tendulkar and for good reason; there will never be a cricketer like him. Never. His passion for the game and his love for the bat is practically unheard of. But if there is one man who comes close to sharing his passion for cricket, in my opinion, it would have to be Kapil Dev. What immediately strikes me the minute I see Dev at any event, in an interiew or even in photographs, is his smile. It depicts humility which is rather odd since he is easily one of India's most successful captains. Better known as 'The Haryana Hurricane', Dev has taken Team India out of many sticky situations in the past but it is his achievements that set him apart from the rest. He retired in 1994 but not before he achieving some of the biggest numbers seen in the cricketing world at that time. Even then, he stood as humble as ever. In 1983, 'Kapil Dev and his Devils', as they were known went on to win and bring home the World Cup. But not without a big fight. Under his captaincy, they took on every other team and walked in as underdogs. What happened next is history. They won the cup honoring India making the his team, the champions.

But those times were different. Cricketers played for the sheer passion of the game. There were hardly any endorsements and cricketers had alternate jobs to being just cricketers. This in turn meant that players played 100 percent for the country when they did get their chance to and also for their love for the game. My mother often tells me that cricketers had alternate jobs too and when the season was over, they went back to being a part of the junta. Nowadays, we're stuck with players who are seen making Crores via endorsing brands and scoring nil on the field. It's probably wrong to make comparisons, but it is vital to do just that. With M.S. Dhoni as captain of the current Indian team, India has done gosh darn well. Today, Team India stands strong and in quite a viable place to win the World Cup. Thus far, the team has performed pretty well under M.S. Dhoni's captaincy and while Dhoni may just take India to the finals, even win the cup, he will never be like Kapil Dev. Dhoni is in fact, known for being one arrogant fellow. Humility is hardly a trait he has (or ever will) master. In fact, I can almost imagine his arrogance level to reach further heights if India wins the cup. But what is it that separates the boy (Dhoni) from the men (Dev). Here's my five reasons.

Brain vs. Heart

You may need a brain to play and win, but what's the point if you're heart isn't in it? Yes, Dhoni know the tactics, the skills and the tricks to win matches, but Kapil Dev, known for being an incredibly emotionally charged player, showed that it was beyond just that. Besides knowing the much-needed skills required to win matches, he did lead the 1983 squad to victory, he played dilon jaan se. How often do you see Dhoni coming out on the field and playing not for any other reason but sheer love of the game?

Societal Changes

Times have changed from 1983. In those days, there was hardly any pressure for the Indian team to perform. In fact, the public and even government didn't regard cricket as anything worthy of importance. And thus, with lack of support from Indians and the government, the Indian cricket team went about playing with absolutely zero expectations. And so, it may have been a lot easier to win the World Cup in that sense. Now however, the team faces immense pressure from not only the fans, who literally get ugly when a match is lost, but also from the Cricket Council in India and even the government who have their political agendas in store. What's most interesting is Dhoni's indifferent attitude towards any external pressure he receives. In fact we see him often claiming that he couldn't really careless about those pressures...just not in those words exactly.

All Rounder Factor

When making comparisons, it's important to discuss the real deal: skill. There is no denying Dhoni as a class wicket keeper and a hit quite a few runs. However, everyone knows that if India has produced one truly all rounder, it is in fact, Kapil Dev. Not only was he known for his great bowling, often taking India out of iffy situations via crucial wickets but even hitting vital runs when most needed. If that wasn't enough, he was one helluva fielder putting even younger players on the team to shame at times.

The Teams

We're talking about two totally different teams with regards to the 1983 team and the 2011 team. Kapil Dev lead a team which had great all rounders including the captain and ex-Indian coach Madan Lal. Unfortunately, the current team is limited with its all rounders. The 2011 team only has Yuvraj Singh as it's complete all rounder so to speak. While the 1983 squad found themselves filled with full time spinners, the current team finds itself stuck with part-time spinners to do most of the hard work. Keeping that in mind, the 2011 team finds themselves with a lot more work to do in order to win the cup.

Ecteras

Some teeny tiny details nitty-grittys too can be spotted. For starters, Dev was much more of an emotional soul while Dhoni is known for being a tad bit hot headed when the situation demands it. And the game has changed too. From a 60 over game, the matches are now 50 overs; the boundary lines have been bought in by a whole 10 yards; and lastly, cricketers are equipped with the best equipment money can buy from the biggest sponsors in the world.

Maybe it's unfair to the compare the Men in Blue (2011 squad) to the Men in Moustaches (1983 squad). Times have changed but despite all odds, the 1983 team walked in as underdogs and won the title. Our team today have walked in as favorites and have done everything to come to the semis. What will happen now? Time will tell. Until then, all we can hope is that Dhoni will take some inspiration and gyaan from Kapil Dev only to play a game for the country, for the team and for his passion for the sport.

I Dhon(i) Care!

What is the big damn deal with Mahendra Singh Dhoni getting married? For starters, he has an attitude up his a$$ which is beyond me. Yes, you are one of India's most successful captains but that doesn't explain the extra attention he seems to getting regarding his shaadi. Buddies John Abraham and Bipasha Basu too got dragged into the entire hoopla when the media claimed that they would be hosting a party for the new wedded couple. Bipasha later rubbished the news. 


So the bride is apparently his school friend who erm, somehow is seven years or so younger to him. Er...that doesn't make them school friends technically. But okay, if you say so. And in case you need a reminder, Dhoni has been linked to numerous ladies including Deepika Padukone. But in the end, he had to settle for a nice simple girl and badda-bing, they were wed literally overnight. 


Our advice to Sakshi Mahendra Singh Dhoni is simple: get used to being under keen eye of the camera. Yes, they catch everything. Check out her rock and her unmanicured fingers (ew!). There is never an excuse for undone nails which are painted bright red. 

That said, congrats on the wedding Dhoni but I'm tired of seeing his wedding pics. Yawn.


Source: Mid-Day