MSD-2; SUCCESS SOJURN CONTINUES

Contemplating   a tiny take from the Oscar-winning movie Gladiator and Academy award-winning actor Russell Crowe’s fabulous narration from that movie only ‘Are you not entertained?’ and annexing with Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s entire cricket life, one aspect which comes to mind, who is the greatest entertainer in the current crop of cricketers for India? Not in terms of off the field activities but in the means of closing the cliffhanger in the last penultimate over’s like a classic Hollywood thriller making the most of matches exciting, enthralling and above all entertaining.

India is a nation where cricket is treated as a religion and Tendulkars are worshipped as semi Gods. But for us what matters most is how to snatch a victory from the opposition jaw by a whisker. Hats off to the magician Mahi.

Six months ago his position in Indian side was uncertain and raised few eyebrows of cricket laurels. He proved his critics wrong. Be it in front of the stumps or behind the stumps he is the go-to man for captain Kohli in crunch close matches.

Dhoni’s average in one –the day is 52.07 in 341 outings. Dhoni’s batting record is Bradmanesque when it comes successful run chase in ODI(in a minimum of 20 innings) is 99.85. Even the great Virat Kohli, who is at the prime of his career, is ranked second best to 37 years old with an average of 99.84 in successful  ODI run chase.

Looking at recent IPL performances of MSD performance speaks augur well. He averages at an astounding average @42.12 accumulating 358 runs in 11 outings.IPL is the biggest entertaining platform for all the prime cricketer for showcasing and proving their net worth for their franchise. The Ranchi dasher is the best entertainer ever in this format also. Suddenly TRPs of television channels are surging in the closing overs in recent times. Maverick Mahi performances not only proved his prowess in front of stumps but his gloves work behind stumps is stupefying. Dhoni pulls off 2 stumping within 3 balls in last IPL match against Delhi Capitals 0.12 and 0.16 seconds respectively.

People not only get attracted to him in the cricketing arena but also in international relations and affairs. Recently Syed Akbaruddin India’s permanent representative at prestigious UN said,’ he followed Dhoni’s approach of never say times up and never give up early in his efforts to bring member nations on the same platform. “ He relates this to the bidding to list Massod Azhar as a global terrorist.

Before the dawn of Australia series those who have ridiculed and advised the master to hang up his boots, now gambling India’s World-cup winning chances on his presence and performance in the Indian side. That is why he is the true cricket legend for India in modern times.