Regarded as one of India's most successful captains MS Dhoni's influence on cricket is not limited to his leadership skills on the field. Beyond his impressive list of accolades, Dhoni's humility and ability to nurture talent stand out. As former teammate Sreesanth testifies, Dhoni's selfless nature is evident in his contribution to fellow cricketers' careers.
Former India's star bowler and World Cup winner S Sreesanth shed light on the many unsung aspects of Dhoni's character in an interaction with Sportskeeda. He emphasised Dhoni's reluctance to claim credit for the success he played a part in Rohit Sharma's meteoric rise.
Rohit hammered a record-busting century to help India bulldoze Afghanistan by eight wickets in their World Cup clash on Wednesday. Rohit blasted 131 off 84 riding on 16 fours and five sixes to make the light work of Afghanistan's 273-run target. During the process, Rohit shattered flurry of records. He notched the fastest World Cup century as an Indian batter. He then followed it up by breaking Sachin Tendulkar's record of cracking most centuries in ODI World Cup. While Rohit has seven tons in the showpiece event, Sachin Tendulkar smoked six tons in his career. Rohit also busted Chris Gayle's World Record of most sixes in the international cricket. Rohit has so far clobbered 556 sixes while Gayle has 553 maximums under his kitty.
"MS Dhoni would never say he made Rohit Sharma's career. I know him really well. We can say that because Dhoni gave him an opportunity... Be it Raina, Virat or Ashwin for that matter," Sreesanth remarked.
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Earlier, in an interview Rohit admitted that it was Dhoni who pushed him to open the innings which proved to be a boon in his career. Since then, there was no looking back for Hitman Rohit as he established himself as a regular opener for Team India across formats with his batting prowess.
"Dhoni just came up to me and said 'I want you to open the innings as I am confident that you will do well. Since you can play both cut and pull shot well, you have the qualities to succeed as an opener'," Rohit had earlier said .
Meanwhile, Sreesanth further acknowledged Dhoni's influential role in many players' careers, hinting at Dhoni's ability to provide support to players in ways Dhoni might not have received himself.
Dhoni's influence on Indian cricket is indelible. Not just for the countless memorable finishes or the cool, calculated demeanor but for the legacy of success he leaves behind. His achievements are astounding: three major ICC trophies – the 2007 T20 World Cup, the 2011 ODI World Cup, and the 2013 Champions Trophy. Dhoni's leadership saw him at the helm for 332 international matches, securing 178 wins and establishing a win percentage of 53.61%.
These statistics, combined with the silverware, undoubtedly place him among the pantheon of India's finest captains.
Yet, the numbers only tell half the story. Dhoni's 11,207 runs in 330 innings, an average of 46.89, 11 centuries, and 71 fifties as a captain underscore his ability to shoulder the burden of captaincy without letting it impact his individual performance.
Furthermore, his Midas touch wasn't limited to the international stage. Dhoni's strategic brilliance found its way to franchise cricket, notably in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Leading teams like Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rising Pune Supergiant (RPG), Dhoni added five IPL titles to his trophy cabinet and also clinched two Champions League T20 titles with CSK.
Despite retiring from international cricket in August 2020, Dhoni's impact remains deep-rooted. His story isn't just one of cricketing achievement but of a leader who recognised and nurtured potential, who led by example, and whose legacy will undoubtedly inspire generations of cricketers to come.
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