I don't believe a call on his career is too far away and when it comes, it will be the most emotional one. Over the years we have had great Batsmen, great Bowlers to watch but before MS Dhoni came we had never had a captain-keeper-batsman as capable as him. That there was still hope when India's top order was blown away at 5/3 is the biggest testimony to the faith 1.25 Billion fans across the country have in their ultimate leader. The intent that has been talked about from the start of this tournament was there, just that the timing was perhaps not there. He tried his best but couldn't save our campaign yesterday. We should not rue the fact that he was not able to close out the game for us like he's done so many times in the past but celebrate his distinguished career. He's been India's best captain, wicket-keeper and the most street smart one we've ever had the privilege to watch. In his heydays, Dhoni was undoubtedly the greatest finisher this generation has seen and won India every possible trophy. From the World T-20 of 2007 where no one gave us a chance to championing the side in the 2011 World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy to leading Csk like a true leader in the Ipl, I don't think there's a player to whom captaincy comes so naturally. At the fag end of his career, he still remained the only hope for the Nation. A true hero and a competitor who always made India win, I believe the following are the two main reasons why he is incredible in so many ways !
1. Captain Cool
Captaincy is something that is very instinctive and players who have backed their gut feeling to the hilt have aced the mantra of being a leader. MSD has always backed himself and his players to come good in crunch situations. His wicket keeping and intuitive skills always stood out. The very first tournament he led showed his immense belief when he gave the last over to the not so known Joginder Sharma and he ultimately won us the tournament. The biggest example of his boldness was the move when he came above the in-form Yuvraj and promoted himself against the likes of Murali and Malinga. Dhoni had not done well the entire tournament and yet when it mattered , he produced an innings of a lifetime when he and Gambhir led India to the most historic win. He made the whole country exult into a euphoria never experienced before. It gives the fans chills thinking about the day. It was the finest moment of glory and he capped it off with a thunderous six that remains enshrined in the minds of people till date. Brilliant players like Kohli, Rohit and Jadeja became permanent mainstays because of the backing Dhoni gave them. Kohli revelled and became one of the greats and Rohit became a mighty white ball player as well. Dhoni inspired a generation of young players and as Virat says time and again,"he will always be their captain."
2. The Greatest Finisher ever
Some of his finishes are on everyone's fingers, such is his frequency and preciseness of the finish. Even when the bowler is defending 15 in the last over , the bowler is the one under the pump, not MSD. His 112m six off Mckay to make us win at Adelaide, his 16 runs in the final against Eranga, his final 2 sixes against Axar Patel in the IPL and his career defining 91 not out when India were battling to win the world cup were played under immense pressure and anyone who has achieved one of these innings can be a very proud man. Yes, the last 2-3 years, he's not been able to hit them as clean as he used to but age does take its toll. Even then, his mere presence guided youngsters like Hardik and Jadeja to go for the calculated risks. If Bevan was the 1990's ultimate finisher, then Dhoni is the greatest finisher of the last decade. During a run chase, no one knew what went in his mind and when he planned to attack yet he was the one who came out on top 9 out of 10 times. As his career comes to dusk let's celebrate India's favourite sons. Players like him come in a millenium. Players who dedicate themselves to the team and are humble enough to take the blame when things go
wrong.
THANK YOU DHONI !!
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