M.S. Dhoni, a name that became synonymous with hope and confidence for millions of Indians is actually much more than a cricketer or a captain. In true sense he is an inspiration for everybody who belongs to a down to earth family and wants to achieve success in this competitive world. He has been an example of how one can overcome the hurdles of being born in a humble family or in small town and achieve the greatness which everybody dreams of. Though there are many success stories of Dhoni, but on his birthday, I would like to wish him not for being a successful cricketer or captain but for being a teacher in the real sense.
After his initial failures in Bangladesh on 5th April, 2005 when the Indian skipper promoted him to number there in the batting order, Dhoni picked up the challenge and blasted a breath-taking 148 against a very formidable Pakistan bowling attack to announce his arrival on the cricket scene.
Again he was made the captain of the Indian T-20 side quite unexpectedly in 2007, but he ended up winning the championship. So what we learn is never wait for a second chance, but make best use of the first.
Let us be very clear that the T-20 team of 2007 or the world cup winning team of 2011 were surely not the best Indian team ever, but the way in which Dhoni used the services of Joginder Sharma in 2007 and the bowling of Yuvraj Singh in 2011 was one of the major reason for India to win the two world cups under him. (We should remember that Joginder Sharma was successful with the ball even in the semi-final against Australia) Even in the championship trophy the way in which he used a rookie Ravindra Jadeja and an erratic Ishant Sharma are commendable.
The Champions Trophy victory and the 2018 IPL victory for C.S.K under Dhoni was achieved when his integrity towards the game was questioned the most.
When Dhoni handed the last over to Joginder Sharma in 2007 T-20 world cup final or when he came out to bat ahead of an in-form Yuvraj Singh in 2011 finals, or when he had given the match decisive over to Ishant Sharma in Champions Trophy finals, millions of Indians would have been angry with him. But that is what Dhoni taught that if you want to win you should be ready to lose too.
One of the greatest aspects of Dhoni's game is that he never showed much emotions on field. He was never ecstatic on victory and was also never heart-broken in defeat. This quality of a leader actually infuses the utmost confidence in his team.
This quality is absolute a Dhoni magic. He is regarded as the greatest finishers not for his hitting powers, but for his self confidence. Let it be the wonderful last over finish in West Indies against Sri Lanka in 2013, or the 2011 world cup victory or even the 2010 IPL victory over Kings XI Punjab it oozes out great self-confidence.
