Happy Birthday Dhoni: Dhoni’s talent had to break ‘rule’, shadow in world cricket ‘Captain Cool’

• Mahendra Singh Dhoni turns 39 on Tuesday
• Had stepped into international cricket in 2004

The first international cricketer from Jharkhand, who got the news of being called into Team India at the age of 23. This wicket-keeper batsman did not miss a chance and left no stone unturned to make a mark on the field. He scored 148 runs in his 5th ODI and then 148 runs in the 5th Test as well.

These enchanting cricketer made such headlines with these two early smashing centuries against arch-rivals Pakistan that he later became the ‘future’ of Team India. Yes! It is being talked about Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the only captain to win all the three ICC World Championships, whose birthday is today (7 July). He turned 39 on Tuesday.

Actually, Mahendra Singh Dhoni was the discovery of the TCC’s Talent Research Development Department (TRDW). Given his talent, the age-related rules related to this program had to be relaxed. Before discussing this, let’s take a look at Dhoni’s international career.

As soon as he stepped into international cricket, Dhoni was compared to Australian veteran Adam Gilchrist. Also, Mahi, who specializes in chasing victory till the last over, got a glimpse of Michael Bevan as a finisher. Within three years, Dhoni was appointed as the captain of ODIs and T20s. Under his captaincy, India captured the T20 World Cup in 2007 and won the CB Series final in Australia the following year.

After this, Dhoni took the Test captaincy in 2008 and recorded memorable series victories over Australia, England and New Zealand, in December 2009, India became No.1 in Test cricket. But under his captaincy, India suffered 8 consecutive defeats on the soil of England and Australia in 2011 and 2012 and India lost the top ranking due to these embarrassing defeats.

But Dhoni was not one to give up. In 2011, he won the World Cup title to India. He washed out Australia 4–0 at home in 2013 and then won the Champions Trophy in England the same year he was invincible and reached the final of the World T20 World Cup the following year.

In December 2014, Dhoni left Test captaincy abruptly in the middle of the series against Australia. Not only this, he also announced to retire immediately from Test cricket. In 2017, Dhoni decided to relinquish the captaincy (from the limited overs format) and paved the way for Virat Kohli to be his successor.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s sluggish batting in the World Cup-2019 was the target of critics. He has been away from cricket since India’s loss in the semi-finals. There was also speculation about his retirement. He was expected to return with the IPL this year, but due to the Kovid-19 pandemic, this T20 league is postponed indefinitely.

This is the way of international cricket for Dhoni

Dilip Vengsarkar is considered to be one of the best selectors in India in terms of finding talent. This former captain’s tenure as chairman of the selection committee from 2006 to 2008 became a yardstick for the selectors, as Mahendra Singh Dhoni became the captain as their selector.

Vengsarkar believes that he succeeded in doing justice as the chairman of the selection committee because he was associated with the Talent Research Development Department (TRDW) of the BCCI (Cricket Board of India), which explored the talent of cricketers like Dhoni. TRDW however does not exist anymore.

Dhoni and Dilip Vengsarkar (File photo)

Mahendra Singh Dhoni was included in the BCCI’s TRDW scheme at the age of 21, while the age of 19 was fixed for it. There is a very interesting story behind it. Actually, Dhoni was included in TRDW at the behest of former Bengal captain Prakash Poddar. On Poddar’s insistence, Vengsarkar decided that rules should not come in the way of talented players.

Poddar went to see an under-19 match in Jamshedpur. At the same time, the Bihar team was playing a one-day match in the adjacent Keenan Stadium and the ball was coming out of the stadium again and again. After this Poddar became curious as to who was hitting the ball so far. When he found out, he came to know about Dhoni.

Vengsarkar said, “Dhoni was made a part of the TRDW program at the age of 21 at the behest of Poddar.” He told that TRDW was started by former president Jagmohan Dalmiya. However, it was discontinued after Dalmiya lost the election.

Dhoni’s international career

Mahendra Singh Dhoni scored 10773 runs in 350 ODIs at an average of 50.57, which includes 10 centuries and 73 half-centuries. During this time his highest score was 183 not out. There are 444 victims behind the wicket.

Dhoni scored 4876 runs in 90 Tests at an average of 38.09. He has scored 6 centuries and 33 half-centuries. His highest score was 224 runs. There are 294 victims behind the wicket.

He scored 1617 runs in 98 T20 Internationals for India at an average of 37.60, including 2 fifties. His highest score was 56 runs. 91 wickets behind the wicket.