If Sachin Tendulkar is considered the ‘god of cricket,’ then we can certainly call MS Dhoni the ‘godfather of cricket in India.’ He provided valuable advice to the young players, helping them succeed in international cricket. He set a great example, he continued to lead and guide Team India even after the retirement of legendary players.
When he realized that his time as captain was over, he stepped down as the Test captain to make way for Virat Kohli. This decision allowed him to focus more on the shorter formats of the game. In ODIs and T20 internationals, he concentrated on his batting, relinquishing captaincy in those formats as well. Fortunately for Team India, he didn’t retire and continued to be a guiding force for the team.
In recent series, we’ve seen Dhoni’s immense contribution in helping players perform under pressure. He even guided lower-order players like Bhuvneshwar Kumar to score vital runs. His presence at the crease made a significant difference. Players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have spoken about how Dhoni has positively influenced their progress after he gave up captaincy.
A remarkable example of his selfless batting was in the first ODI against Australia. India was in trouble with just 80 runs on the board and five wickets down. Hardik Pandya and MS Dhoni were at the crease, trying to rescue the team from a tough situation. Dhoni played a crucial role in supporting Pandya, ensuring that he played his natural game.
When Pandya left, Dhoni took charge and aggressively scored runs. This is what we expect from him every time he comes to the crease. Dhoni’s ability to win matches for India is becoming more and more common with time. Being a ‘godfather of cricket‘ is not an easy role, but Dhoni’s unwavering determination and his current form suggest that he may continue representing India for many more years to come.