I think of the word “Hope” and two things come to my mind. Shawshank Redemption & Mahendra Singh Dhoni. You taught a generation the value of ‘Hope’. No game was finished till you were in the middle.
Unorthodox by approach, unconventional by thought, but most importantly ‘unfazed’ and happy with who you are. In millennial parlance-a captain like Unmukt would agree with me- ‘Sorted banda.’
Obscured in winning photographs- with trophies but the first to come forward & absorb criticism. All with a sense of equanimity.
Throughout India’s impressive silverware collection spree under your tenure(T20 World Cup, World Cup 2011 , Champions Trophy 2013, Test mace) you showed results mattered, but the process, even more so.
Always backing a player, making him realise his true potential, while fighting pain and backing yourself to finish games. In these ways you made us realise the nature of cricket being a team sport as much a personal one.
Every Single refused by you in a crunch situation, was an example of more pressure on the bowler despite it being a dot ball. Such was your impact. Selfless as always, never viewed another keeper as competitor but gave him chances, aplenty; giving up captaincy to see Kohli bloom as a skipper in your presence. If one reads between the lines there is a lot more than cricket here to learn from you.
Many a time after a riveting Indian run chase-courtesy your butchering of the ball, the gentlest deposing of the bail to unscrew the stump, would be missed.
Perhaps DRS would go back to being ‘Decision’ Review System again, when India plays.
The crocodile grabbing of the ball, behind the wicket. The lightning fast stumpings, witty sledges and the helicopters are reserved exclusively for the yellow Jersey now.
Your first game for India and your last, might be bracketed by run outs, but what happened between them will remain one of the most sparkling international careers as a number 3, a keeper, a finisher, a captain, an astute reader of the game and an extraordinary ambassador of the sport.
Thank you MSD for being India’s magician in front of the wicket and behind it.
