- For the majority of Indian cricket fans, one image that conjures up in their mind is the way the legendary Mahendra Singh Dhoni hit the winning six in the 2013 World Cup final in Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. The subsequent celebrations that broke out after that spectacular finish needed no elaboration as the entire country went into delirium for lifting the World Cup for the second time. As cricket fans would agree, the legend of Dhone steadily grew no sooner than the batsman-keeper made his presence felt in the international cricket firmament with not only consistently spectacular performances on the field but also the way he carried himself on and off the ground with such an eye-pleasing disposition.
PC: AFP
- Dhoni possesses astute cricketing knowledge, understands the nuances of the game intricately, developed a keen sense of the situations on the ground, and goes about executing plans in a cool-as-a-cucumber manner. These virtues are not developed over time but inherently exist and need to be tapped into actionable execution on the ground when it matters most. People in the know would vouch that Dhoni has a most sensible head on his shoulders that largely borders on shrewd maneuvering and goading him to take decisions based on gut feelings. Instinctive leaders always respect their gut feelings prompting them to take decisions that come out as a masterstroke most often than not. Dhoni has proved it umpteen times.
- Remember, Dhoni is considered one of the most successful Indian captains of all time. As they say, the statistics speak for itself and Dhoni’s record as a captain is nothing short of magnificent. Mind you, he has won two ICC trophies viz. the inaugural T20 World Cup and the 2013 50-over World Cup, respectively. The moot point to ponder over here is what makes Dhoni the talismanic captain who seems to have all the aces up his sleeves to deliver goods when it matters most. It is said that true leaders are those who not only inspire others by setting an admirable example but also never hesitate to lead from the front despite encountering challenges of varying degrees. Dhoni perfectly fits into the role akin to a fish taking to the water so seamlessly.
PC: Akhil Kintali
- You only must look around to see how many promising cricketers have prospered into substantial performers largely owing to the inspirational presence of Dhoni, the captain. Yes, he is on the wrong side of the 40s and is past prime to deliver those scintillating performances of yore. But still, he continues to be a defining captain in franchise-based T20 cricket having recently won the coveted IPL trophy for the record-equalling fifth time. He has hardly performed anything remotely resembling spectacular in the IPL of late. Of course, Dhoni is also nursing a terrible knee that has considerably hampered his batting prowess. However, his mere presence and guidance ensure the franchise goes the distance speaks volumes about his imposing charisma. Kudos Dhoni!
