No Candle Can Replace The Sun

The Wonder Of The Cricketing World Comes To An End;

We may have another chance of winning the world cup next time, but we won't be chanting DHONI!!!DHONI!!DHONI!!!

I was 7 at the time, an adventurous young tyke, spending my summer vacation at my Granny’s place. Per the regular course, I had skipped lunch and was playing out in the heat. My mother was a strong believer of “spare the rod, spoil the child”, and needless to say, when she found me I was sent back home in tears. I went into home weeping and sat beside my uncle who was watching a cricket match. I started watching the match along with him, still wiping my tears, and I saw a man with long hair and a muscular body, tapping his bat aggressively as though he wanted to smash every ball right out of the park. It caught my interest like never before as I had never sensed such intent from other players. My tears forgotten, I started paying attention to this man as he was coming down the track to smash the ball. I pointed towards this man and asked my uncle, “What’s his name?”. He replied, “M.S. DHONI” This was the instance that changed my life. It was the first time I heard his name, and it was the first time I wanted to hold a bat and smash some balls.

I started growing out my hair like he did, I bought an RBK bat, I even started copying his batting style. I used to gather all my friends every evening and cajole them into playing cricket with me. I woke up early on Sunday mornings and played cricket. There were multiple instances where I even injured my leg with the bat while learning his trademark “Helicopter Shot.” I filled my entire room with his wall posters. He looked absolutely unique, wearing a cap with his long hair. To me he isn’t just any cricketer, he is a medley of emotions, emotions of passion, exuberance, dynamism and nostalgia. Every time he’s on the field, that 7-year-old kid in me respawns.

Some say he was lucky to become a successful captain, some say he had the best team when they reached #1 test rankings, while some others blamed him for promoting himself in the 2011 world cup ahead of Yuvraj. None of the praise or criticism changed his character though. He always remained calm and composed, our “Captain Cool”.

After getting knocked out in the group stage of the 2007 ODI world cup, he was the man who held the team and led them to win the 2007 T20 World cup. That day, Indian cricket witnessed the birth of a new leader. Little did we know that he would go on to create a legacy for the Indian Cricket team.

In 2008 after taking up the responsibility of a Captain, he led the team to become the champions of the 2008 CB bank series in Australia, he was heavily criticized for repeatedly giving chances to Virat Kohli inspite of his failures. Despite the selectors’ desire to drop Yuvraj out of the world cup squad 2011, he stood by his side and together they went on to win the World Cup for us. Dhoni was also criticized for giving Rohit Sharma multiple chances, fast forward to now and he has 3 double centuries under his belt. Clearly the man is a good judge and makes the right decisions.

The respect he has towards his seniors is apparent from the time when he asked Dada (Ganguly) to serve as captain for the last 30 minutes of his farewell match. When no one considered India as favourites for the World cup 2015, he was the one who led the team, that was like a pack of hungry wolves that pounced on the competition, and went on to win 7 consecutive matches before losing to Australia in the semi-finals.

Dhoni also always puts his duty to his team, to his country, above his personal life. In fact, he didn’t meet his daughter for 2 months when was in Australia playing for India. He is the role model for youngsters from small towns, with big dreams. 

There is no leader as selfless as him, he always takes the blame when his team loses, and he always lets his team enjoy the successes. He carried the expectations of 1.2 billion Indians in the 2011 World Cup and he didn’t disappoint, filling every person’s heart with pride and joy when he finished off with a six over the long on.

“Dhoni finishes off in style. A magnificent strike into the crowd! India lift the World Cup after 28 years!”

It was his moment. His moment of success, his moment to cherish, but he collected the trophy and gave it to the youngsters which I’m sure was an unforgettable moment for them.

Every cricketer’s career comes to an end at some point. The long-haired youthful boy has turned into a grey bearded wise man. It was his last World Cup, he gave everything he could, but in the end he could not lead his team to the victory. The long walk he took to the dressing room with tears in his eyes was the most painful moment for every person in the country.

We may have another chance at winning the World Cup next time, but we won't be chanting DHONI!!! DHONI!!! DHONI!!!

He never lost his character in the process of winning.

I would like to end with a few words, deep from my heart, meant just for my dear idol.

Thala,

Thank you for everything. I want to thank you from the very bottom of my heart for everything you have done. You fulfilled the dreams of billions of people throughout your career. You have never let them down. Even at 5 for 3, in the recent semi-finals, 1.25 billion people still believed and hoped, that’s your magic power. Dandaalayyaa!!!! Thalaiva.

 The mammoth sixes you hit, the change of the field position, the camouflage gloves, 2011 World Cup’s finishing six, handing over the ball to Joginder Sharma in the final of the 2007 World Cup, the celebrations after winning 2013 Champion’s Trophy, your stumping’s that are faster than blink of an eye, everything will be cherished forever. I watched you play for the first time with my eyes full of tears, and I might have seen you play for the last time with my eyes full of tears again. Every time you play the 7-year-old in me respawns, but with you gone that kid might not make a reappearance ever again.

From your devout fan...