Mahi Way: Play Hard, Have Fun
Mahi Way
By Gaurang
September 23 2007
India look a completely different team from the side that played stuttering cricket in the World Cup, losing ignominiously to Bangladesh and crashing out of the tournament before the Super Eight stage. Ironically the biggest flop during that period was none other than Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who scored ducks in both of India’s losses.
And it was not just that he got out for zero in two key matches, it was the way he got out. He seemed to be totally indifferent to the fate of his side and played shots that were reckless in the extreme. This clearly was a sign of much deeper malaise that was afflicting the team, and as was later shown to be the case, that malaise had to much to do with a Coach who was not on speaking terms with most of the team.
Now after a very educational tour of England where he was nurtured by the veterans of the Indian team, without the overbearing presence of an egotistical coach, he has grown in stature and maturity. So much so, that he played one of the most responsible innings ever played by an Indian wicket keeper to help India escape with a lucky draw in the first Test match.
Since that time, though he faced a torrid time in alien conditions, both with the gloves and the bat, he never gave up, and always played for the team. Fittingly when the three stalwarts of the Indian team, announced a joint decision to skip the Twenty20 World cup in favor of younger players, Dhoni was given the reigns as the Captain in the abbreviated, fast-food, version of the game. He was asked to lead India in the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup, with the total experience of one Twenty20 international under his belt.
Yet, with hardly any experience, let alone plans, which he readily admitted when the media asked about it, Dhoni's India look a completely different team with Mahendra Singh Dhoni at the helm. Mahi, as he is known to his fans, has brought a refreshing change in the outlook of the team. He is the first captain of the post dot com boom era of India, an India that looks at 9 percent annual growth as normal, and not something that is only to be dreamed about. An India that has Indian companies buying up corporate houses in the West, at a record clip, and confidently coming out on the world stage. An India that is neither deferential to the old colonial powers, nor carries a reactionary chip on their shoulder about them. An India that as a matter of fact assumes that it could be among the best, but has no qualms in acknowledging weakness and areas where it needs to learn from others. Most of all an India that knows how to let its hair down after doing a days work in a professional way.
It is this new India that is quick to adapt, quick to innovate, and quick to get the job done, that Dhoni and his team represent. Interestingly, the other team in the tournament, Pakistan, has as a country not experienced the economic success that India has, and yet its youngsters have indirectly through Bollywood, cable and satellite TV, the Internet, etc. been part of that same youth wave, that India is currently riding.
Of course the other factor, in the two teams’ success in this the most instinctive, least strategic version of the game, is the prevalence of gully (street) cricket in both countries, which in its elemental nature, where quick wits, thinking on your feet, sharp skills, especially fielding and running between the wickets, but also psyching out our opponents, plus a never give-up attitude are nurtured has made these two teams naturals in this version of the game.
Come Monday either side can win the cup. Both sides regardless of the outcome have much to be proud of and will go home with their heads held hight. And at least Indian fans hope this will be the start of new era in limited overs cricket for India as the team follows the Mahi way, which can be epitomized by the motto: Play Hard, Have Fun.
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ICL Ko Support Karo Yaro...
BCCI Ko Joote Chappal Maro....
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ICL Ko Support Karo Yaro...
BCCI Ko Joote Chappal Maro....
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2007:09:23:18:53:20 by Anil.
I am a bit loath to try it, because the last time I tried it I messed up the article thread...
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ICL Ko Support Karo Yaro...
BCCI Ko Joote Chappal Maro....
36 of 18 balls..
While in other games his SR was around 120-150 mark...
so we can be rest assured that Dhoni has not become tuk tuk, and it dictated by the situation and even then he scores quick enough for the coditions, instead of digging a hole...
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ICL Ko Support Karo Yaro...
BCCI Ko Joote Chappal Maro....
He is what 21? too early to think of DK... maybe Yuvvy or else Dhoni for Tests too..
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ICL Ko Support Karo Yaro...
BCCI Ko Joote Chappal Maro....
I think if Ganguly, Dravid and Tendu are in the team... it is OK to make Dhoni Test captain..he can rely on these pros... to help with the job of leading the team...and he can learn on the job..
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ICL Ko Support Karo Yaro...
BCCI Ko Joote Chappal Maro....
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2007:09:23:05:41:41 by Birbal.
India - World Cup winners 2011!!!
Champions Trophy winners 2013!!!
Congrats to Indian team and all Indian fans!
It is a bit of an insult to the batsman if you treat his wicket falling like the same as removing a tailender...
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ICL Ko Support Karo Yaro...
BCCI Ko Joote Chappal Maro....
While Dravid did a good job leading the Test team, the same was not the case for ODI's. Dhoni with his fresh ideas and positive attitude in the T20 world cup, seems like the breath of fresh air that the Indian ODI team needs. Ideally I would prefer to leave out the big 3 and go with this same young team for ODI's as well. But nothing can be done now as the team has already been named, so Dhoni will just have to cope with it and hope that the 3 oldies can deliver.
India - World Cup winners 2011!!!
Champions Trophy winners 2013!!!
Congrats to Indian team and all Indian fans!
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Off break, doosra, yorker, googly, straight drive, sweep, square cut, late cut ... I love them all.
Hope Dhoni gets to lift the cup... that would be most fitting..
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ICL Ko Support Karo Yaro...
BCCI Ko Joote Chappal Maro....
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ICL Ko Support Karo Yaro...
BCCI Ko Joote Chappal Maro....
His move to give up the captaincy seems quite sensible now becuase after this performance by Dhoni... people would surely have been asking WHY NOT replace him as ODI captain?
So maybe that's why he gave it up when people were still asking WHY?...
As for shelf life... I don't think Dhoni's will be less than 4-5 years.. at least until 2011 World Cup...
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ICL Ko Support Karo Yaro...
BCCI Ko Joote Chappal Maro....
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2007:09:25:00:42:05 by Birbal.
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Tendulkar is the greatest cricketer of all time
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ICL Ko Support Karo Yaro...
BCCI Ko Joote Chappal Maro....
India - World Cup winners 2011!!!
Champions Trophy winners 2013!!!
Congrats to Indian team and all Indian fans!
_____
ICL Ko Support Karo Yaro...
BCCI Ko Joote Chappal Maro....
Seriously this guy has what it takes. People look up to him, and now even Ganguly and Tendulkar have publicly endorsed him as captain.
"Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s leadership has been exemplary and refreshing; he plays with a smile on his face but a dagger at the ready. He is courageous but calm as a captain and his players obviously enjoy performing for him."
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ICL Ko Support Karo Yaro...
BCCI Ko Joote Chappal Maro....
Now in rediff he has chimed in with praise for the team...
I feel all the BIG 3 are genuinely happy for the team..but they are also genuinely missing being part of it...
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ICL Ko Support Karo Yaro...
BCCI Ko Joote Chappal Maro....
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2007:09:25:20:35:23 by Birbal.
Written about 6 months ago about T20...but just as valid now about ODIs...
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:03:04:22:52:34 by Birbal.
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Tendulkar is the greatest cricketer of all time