A simple man, then and now
Friends, fans and fellow cricketers recall past birthday celebrations of “Captain Cool”
Former Jharkhand cricketer Satya Prakash Krishna had never imagined that the young boy named M.S. Dhoni, whose first birthday celebration after joining the Indian Railways was held at his home, would go on to become an international star.
“I very well recall the day — July 7, 2001 — when four friends met at my Kharagpur home and celebrated Dhoni’s birthday. It was a very simple celebration. We were all from lower middle-class families and could not afford to spend much. We didn’t even go for an outing that day. We simply wished him and had dinner together. We also presented him with a shirt then,” said Satya Prakash, speaking exclusively over telephone from Kharagpur on the eve of Dhoni’s 39th birthday.
In fact, Satya Prakash was instrumental in Dhoni getting his first job in the Railways. Unable to find a job in Ranchi, Dhoni went to Kharagpur in early 2001 seeking a job through the sports quota in the Railways. Satya Prakash, who was Dhoni’s Jharkhand team-mate, introduced him to the Divisional Railway Manager and Dhoni got the job. “We also celebrated his birthday in 2003-04 when he won a place in Team India A,” he said. “People all over the world now celebrate his birthday every year. I will be planting a tree near my house on Tuesday and I will send a message to my friend. Planting a tree is the best way to celebrate a birthday,” he asserted, adding, “I am proud to be a friend of Dhoni, who has played with legendary cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Rohit Sharma and even Virat Kohli.”
Dhoni's last birthday was celebrated in England when Team India was participating in the World Cup. “We were in Leeds and preparing to go to Manchester, but before boarding a bus we cut the cake,” recalled Sunil Subramanium, who was the team manager then. “Dhoni’s wife (Sakshi) and daughter (Ziva) were present. It is the regular practice to celebrate each player’s birthday. All players like the team physio Patrick Farhat very much, and his face was always sought for to smear with icing,” he added with a grin.
Mohali’s Ram Babu is considered to be Dhoni’s greatest fan. “In the last few years, I have never missed any international match in India where Dhoni has played. I have also followed him on a few overseas tours,” he said. “Whenever Dhoni is in Ranchi and not on a cricket tour, I don’t miss a chance to visit his house. This year, because of COVID-19, I won’t be going to Ranchi. But I will celebrate his birthday by cutting a cake and feeding about 50 poor boys here,” he said, adding with simple pride, “Dhoni is my God”.
Interestingly, Dhoni’s birthday and wedding anniversary fall in the same week. Ten years ago, he married Sakshi on July 4.
He, however, does not like to spend lavishly on parties to mark his birthday, says Yudhajit Dutta. “I was his manager for about 10 years and don’t recall him arranging a big party on his birthday. He always prefers simple celebrations, though we once or twice did host a party on his birthday,” recalled Dutta.
We wish Dhoni a wonderful birthday, and many successful years ahead!
“I was his manager for about 10 years and don’t recall him arranging a big party on his birthday. He always prefers simple celebrations, though we once or twice did host a party on his birthday. — Yudhajit Dutta Dhoni’s manager “People all over the world now celebrate his birthday. I will be planting a tree near my house and will send a message to my friend. It is the best way to celebrate a birthday.” — Satya Prakash Krishna, Former Jharkhand cricketer