Man of few words, Dhoni stays his own man
India’s large population of cricket legends, MS Dhoni is in a league of his own. Dhoni the wicket keeper is actually an allrounder—his mindset is also that of both crafty batsmen and bowlers. Batsmen because, of all his skills, Dhoni’s most priceless gift is that of the ‘well left’—remaining non-aligned, non-involved, ignoring anything outside off. Yet he makes powerful statements without uttering a word—like sporting the para commando balidan logo on his keeping gloves.
The bowler in MSD loves to keep everyone guessing. He left captaincy midway during a Test series in Australia and walked away from Test cricket when only 10 short of 100.
There was no clue this was about to happen because nobody knows how Dhoni’s mind works. His future too is shrouded in mystery. Apart from his cricket achievements not much else is known about Dhoni the celebrity. Google searches to find out what he eats/drinks/wears/where he holidays will, most likely, not throw up much.
Yet such is Dhoni’s appeal that his absence itself is news. At present, for instance, from July 9 he is missing from cricket.
Fans receive only tiny bits of information about him. Post the World Cup he trained with the army in Kashmir, later pictures surfaced of Dhoni playing golf and riding a bike. Randomly he turned up at the nets in Ranchi for a hit, and had the Ranji coach gushing about how he middled every ball.
The other day he returned to the stadium as chief guest, on stage with the Jharkhand CM to inaugurate the ground’s new facilities.
A newspaper report provided the delicious detail that Dhoni and the CM snacked at The Uptown Cafe, the newly commissioned restaurant at the cricket ground.
Never mind no cricket since July, Dhoni still remains in the news. There is this swirling speculation about his retirement/participation in the World T20. MSK Prasad announced that selectors have moved on but coach Ravi Shastri asks us to wait for IPL because Dhoni can’t be ruled out. Ganguly has deemed retirement as Dhoni’s personal call but the man himself is not saying anyin thing—even after being left out of BCCI’S annual contract list.
MSD’S well-left operates outside cricket too. No engaging with fans on social media, very few details of his personal or professional life.
Not the usual celebrity who advertises breakfast details, Dhoni keeps a distance because he wants to be left alone. In an era of information overload, he is ‘out of network coverage area ‘ even for his cricket colleagues.
Dhoni has always played on his terms, a poker player who somehow draws the best cards. His stature and achievements give him unprecedented power; others have learnt he isn’t someone you mess with.
As India captain, he called the shots; so also with CSK, where his authority is stamped on every decision. CSK is the most settled side in IPL because Dhoni puts his weight behind players he chooses. He goes against the flow, picking seniors ahead of youth, relying more on experience than promise.
Nearing the end of a great career, MSD is loved by fans and respected by cricketers for all he has done as keeper/player/finisher/leader. Respect for his class and composure, for conducting himself with poise, grace and dignity.
He may be aloof and inaccessible but in a country as cricket-loving as India, the master of ‘well left ‘ won’t get his perennial wish. Even when he calls it a day, India will not leave him alone.