(M) y (S) uperman - DHONI

                                     

                               

                                        It requires immense writing ability in convincing people of somebody whom you admire the most and who becomes a part and parcel of your life for quite some time now, who is not somebody next door and especially when that somebody is a celebrity, of course. I do not know how close I would get to convincing you, but still will try my level best as to show you how awe-inspired I am watching him on screen. With millions of articles already flooding the internet about this national figure I consider mine none the less as I am going to talk my heart out like everybody else did with a childlike heart. Though technically not a very sound guy, I would try to keep it to my best possible from various others sources that keeps cricket in the game.

                                      In a country like India where Cricket beats even the national game at a bigger margin ever, cricketing stars are undoubtedly the “Heroes of the nation”. Re-considering this very fact, by this time now there should at least be hundred cricketers easily whom the nation should celebrate, but that’s not the plight in here. So there is something more than just cricket that makes the mark as thee hero. After this gets proven, this post is going to concentrate on various such factors that greatly contribute for one’s own place in million’s heart. 

                                      DHONI – “Dynamic Hero Of Nation India” is the hero of this write up and with no delay let us get into drenching ourselves in Dhoni’s rain. I learnt from a reliable source that Dhoni hails from Ranchi and that he was a big fan of Adam Gilchrist of Australia. His childhood heroes were Sachin Tendulkar, Amitabh Bachchan and Lata Mangeskhar. Dhoni initially excelled in Badminton and Football whilst his coach pushed him to play a cricket match against a local club. Having played with no prior experience he kept the wickets brilliantly well, who went on to become a regular full time wicket keeper for India. 

                   “Though India is not fortunate enough to be blessed with good leaders nationwide who can take the country forward, Mahi is a kind of consolation who is serving the purpose from being a cricketer”. 

                   FROM WHERE DID IT ALL COMMENCE – RISE OF A LEADER? 

                                      Mahendra Singh Dhoni went on to make his ODI debut against Bangladesh on 23^rd December 2004 under the able captaincy of Dada. Joginder Sharma made his ODI debut along-side him who did not manage to come up really well as far as cricket is concerned. Dhoni was out for a duck after a poor call fumbling to make his willow well back in the crease while his keeping did not go places as well. Dhoni was feared to be a failure at start. 

                                      Making his mark at the ODI strands, Mahi replaced Dinesh Karthik to keep wickets in his Test debut against Sri Lanka in December 2005 and went on to score a 30 in the same match. Dhoni was put to test of his consistency in this format of game and proved everybody a right pick playing some really aggressive shots and becoming the last man to be dismissed in the same match, who later went on to notch numerous records in all formats of the game. 

                                      Adding feather to his cap, Dhoni was made the Captain of the side for the Inaugural T20 World cup who went on to bag the cup for the country. Though many factors might have influenced the victory, I second Dhoni’s attitude towards the game, skill, faith and confidence in the team that contributed the majority to the winning side. He,then went on to become the ODI captain of the Indian team for the seven-match ODI series against Australia in September 2007. He later was made the full-time test captain during the fourth test against Australia replacing an injure Anil Kumble who announced his retirement sooner the later.     

WHAT COULD HAVE MADE THIS IRON MAN SO SPECIAL?

          As mentioned earlier, it is not just cricket that made him a super human but there are certain traits which carried him as a person all the way. To my perspective, I would love to unfold those at this very moment trying to explore as to why this figure is a huge success.

1)    SHOT SELECTION: There was a time when cricket was known for elegance. Sachin, Dravid, Ganguly, Laxman and other foreigners who did a flawless business went right through the heart of people as the best. Times changed and big hitters ruled the roost. Gayle, De Villiers and other note-worthy players clearly swept the fame off others with ease. One can either be this or that, but none both unless and until he is Dhoni. Gayle cannot play elegant and Sachin cannot be as aggressive as Gayle is, but Dhoni was. The kind of Shot selection he made for the balls put-forth were amazing. You cannot play the Helicopter shot that elegant unless and until you are Dhoni. Be it three down or be it six down Dhoni finds the spot right. He fixes himself to the position he is down and turns the match for against the opponents. Dhoni can even bat at a plight where the team is five down for just fifty runs with thirty eight overs in hand and where the same team is three down for three hundred and twenty runs with four more overs to bowl. He set for himself a style and for other’s a bench mark illuminating them of what cricket was all about. It is only for Dhoni whom the crowd goes crazy while padding up and making a mark on the field with his bat on after Sachin. 

2)    SKILL SET: Yet another amazing factor is the enormous skill set he possesses as a Wicket Keeper. He replaced Dinesh Karthik to become a full time wicket keeper and he did/does it flawlessly. While Dhoni behind the stumps, a bowler need not have to worry about any other extra run except for a wide. Be it stumping, gathering, back up and diving to the ball none other can do it as flawless as Dhoni does. Might be from all the footballing skills he possesses, still he is the best wicket keeper I have ever seen. Any batsman would be afraid of coming and playing down the crease while Dhoni is behind the stumps for he is lightning-quick. The way he gathers, throws, encourages, backs up from being behind the stumps I bet nobody ever can imagine a replacement for this king.

3)    CAPTAINCY: As the nick name goes “Mr.Cool”, he is one of the coolest cricketers I have ever seen. I rarely had seen him tensed and frustrated but for otherwise his smile does the talking. “Smiles” there is a mile gap between both the ‘’S’’ and he bridges his perfectly. Dhoni went on to win several matches driving the team home successfully back with all the credits. The strategy he follows, the attitude he possesses, the way he treats his fellowmen are exemplary. I have seen a lot of times Dhoni coming on to the player individually encouraging him, helping him with all that he needs and stand selfless behind the stumps. The kind of encouragement he showers on the team from being behind the stumps will seem blemish less. He is such a captain who encourages the entire unit to perform, not individually but as a team.

4)    ATTITUDE: People might wonder so as to why this word is being used in many a places throughout this write up and what it does really means. Attitude is nothing but Dhoni, Dhoni’s thoughts. Behave like Dhoni and people will back you for the good attitude you have what might come. He is so cool. He is so down to earth, never takes success to head, never takes failures at heart and never takes decency for granted. India had won many an instances under his able captaincy but never in life have I seen him showing off. Such is the maturity of Dhoni. He rejoices success together and celebrates failure together. He is a kind of person who is there for the team always.

5)    THE DHONI FACTOR: I wanted to write this and put a heading like this as to tell people that he has got this magical ingredient in him. “Dhoni Factor” cannot be determined. Dhoni the way he looks might be one factor. He is one of India’s most ravishing Cricketing stars. He looks cool, stylish, humble, simple and sexy which makes him the “Dhoni” of all men. The second factor could be Dhoni as a person. The way he conducts himself on and off the field. You cannot be the same everywhere and Dhoni is none the less. The Dhoni we see in Cricketing field is entirely different from what he is. The third factor could be the kind of grammar he imparted on this game. The way he inspired kids and youths with the kind of game he plays and the last and final factor could be his gentleman ship. He is such an adorable gentleman on and off the field. He is so sincere to whatever he is doing and that keeps him moving forward to greater heights. 

THINGS TO PROVE I AM A DHONI ADDICT: 

                             These are instances from personal life that could illustrate you guys of how much of Dhoni-ian I am. 

1)    It was CSK – RCB clash at Bangalore, and it was a down pour, literally. I and my bestie took on a ride to Chinnaswamy stadium amidst a heavenly pour to catch a glimpse of the match only for Dhoni wearing CSK Jersey at had this powerful name at the back

2)    When we knew the match is never going to start, we did stay back outside the ground praying hard for the rain to stop

3)    We did go to the Chinnaswamy stadium to catch a glimpse of Dhoni while he makes an entry for the practice sessions, but ended up a jack of all trade and master of none.

4)    We did go to the stadium at four in the morning to get tickets for the game that Dhoni was in

5)    We did order tees from the official merchandise solely for Dhoni 

6)    While playing local matches on the grounds I did personify myself as Dhoni and loved making strokes the way he did

7)    While in the grounds standing in Dhoni’shoe so as to imagine what it feels to be out there

8)    Following all news related to Dhoni very closely dedicating time for the same

9)    My profile picture and my cover picture were replaced by his’ on my Facebook profile 

10)           Writing this post and letting the world know what Dhoni means to me.

“A good captain is somebody who stands by his team even in tough plights and good followers are those who stand by their captain even in tough plights. We are your true followers and we will stand by your forever and forever. Love you Dhoni”

          “If it is commitment it is only a Victory for him”

“I wish I were Dhoni’s closer if not very closer relative someway that, even I share the pride of what being close to Dhoni is”.

                      

                                         "Hail Dhoni"

          

                    

A Night To Remember

                                                           The Roads of the city were drenched, swampy and fresh as rain shattered the City for almost a couple of hours now. It was told to be a historic downpour as the City had never witnessed something like that of the recent times. Uprooted trees, held up traffic, people along petty shops hiding themselves from the rain were the very common scene of the city. The wind was pretty harsh and the trees were swaying generating dampened air through the atmosphere. The City was chill and moist.

                                      She was seen sitting in her bedroom staring through her balcony, the water filled clouds, thinking something very intense. It was very evident from her swollen eyes that she had not slept the whole night while the rains made shattering noise against the tin roof of her cottage. While clouds opened up to pour everything it had, even her eyes poured out everything here heart had. She got remained off that ill-fated day that haunted her almost every day every second. 

                                      Dona and Shaun were Childhood best friends. They grew together up in a small town called “Ohio”.  They were neighbors, friends and sweethearts who later went on to become better halves. Life was amazing, no fights and no struggles. They always had what they wanted and they were blessed with a boy and a girl whom they considered their lives as. Everything went absolutely fine with a pretty house, love in the air, happy living until fate struck that beautiful family miserably bad. 

                                      Dona was a manager in one of the most reputed software firms and she was invited for a conference at New Jersey a couple of months back so as to represent her company. This was the first time in her life that she is going to travel far away without Shaun and very first time that she is going to leave behind her kids alone. She was very hesitant initially after which Shaun convinced her that he would take care of them like how she would and that its only for a couple of days’ time. Dona wanted Shaun to accompany her that it can turn out to be a holiday for the couple but Shaun chose not to owing her need to concentrate on work at hand. Even after all these, something stopped Dona from leaving behind her family alone for no big reason. 

                                      Dona left for New Jersey reluctantly after having no option other than what was destined. Before she bid adieu at the airport, she wanted Shaun to promise certain things. She did not want him to leave behind their children alone at any cost, she did not want Shaun to get drunk up over the weekend and sleep in the house like a fat pig. In addition to all these, she had asked her mom to come over who lives after a couple of lanes to help Shaun perfect his activities. 

                                      Dona reached New Jersey after all these and she called Shaun up several times so as to ensure if everything was well intact. Shaun advised her to be free from all the responsibilities and to enjoy new atmosphere out there. The Conference started and Dona got busy minding her own works with regards to the conference and Shaun was busy managing the house-holds and the children. 

                                      The first day was hectic for both of them for obvious reasons. Dona was tired after a day-long conference and was missing Shaun as this was her maiden trip away from Shaun. Shaun on the other hand felt very difficult parenting the kinds and he realized how difficult parenthood was.  Speaking over phone they had good laugh as Shaun said he is going to free Dona from doing all these realising how difficult being a woman is. She knew taking care of the kids could be one hell of a task especially for Danny who had never done it before.

                                      On the next day, Shaun took his kids to the near-by mall getting the kids dress up the way she would do. The girl was dressed cute in her pink frock and pony tail that added additional beauty to the kid. He even took photographs to show Dona later of his works. They enjoyed a lot at the mall. They shopped whatever they felt like doing, played at the mall and ate nice food outside. On the way back home, Dona’s mom joined the family so as to help him with the pending works. 

                                      The day ended smoothly without any mess and Shaun tried calling Dona up. Work-Struck Dona was not able to pick the call up as she was held up at the conference which went on up to eleven in the night. Shaun tried a couple more times as it was already late and gave up after thinking not disturbing her.  She rushed out of the conference hall very fast to call her sweetheart back. She called him, there was no reply. She called him four more times but still was no reply on the other end. Dona thought perhaps Shaun had gone to bed early; perhaps he was tired running after the kids. She smiled and wondered how adorable Shaun would look trying to feed the kids and running after them to put them to bed on time.

                                      As Dona hit the sack; she was excited with the prospect of going back home and happy that the two days had passed without any troubles. Even if it was just two days; it was the longest she had been away from her entire family. She just waited for the moment when she would be home; when she would see her children and Shaun. She couldn’t wait to cook their favorite meal; to put them to sleep and to be there 24 by 7 to take care of them. In fact such was her anticipation of going back home that she could hardly sleep that night.   

                 

                                                         In Ohio it was a stormy night; with thunder and lightning. The trees in their lawn swayed recklessly due to the wind. The rain just didn’t seem to stop. The weather seemed like a warning; a prophecy of a dire event waiting to unfold. It was wild; it was ruthless and it was scary. Dona was about to board the flight, she called Shaun couple more times for which there was no answer. Now she started worrying a bit. She boarded the flight saying “All izz well”. 

                                      At last she landed up at Ohio. She rushed home owing to have got no reply from Shaun for quite some time now. She reached home and she banged on the door as she was panic struck. She got no reply. In fact nobody even responded. She kept pressing the bells until somebody responded but sadly nobody did. It was actually weird that nobody even responded from inside for the noise made. She continued calling on Shaun’s and her mom’s mobile to find out if something was really wrong. She could hear both of their mobile ringing inside the house. Now this made her really scary. She waited in front of the house for some time thinking that they would have gone out keeping their mobile phones inside. Even this option got ruled out as she saw Shaun’s car in the garage. She suddenly called up Shaun’s friend and found that he had not reached office yet. She called her kids school to realize that they have not reached either and concluded that something is terribly wrong.

                                      Gradually crowd started gathering in front of her house. They saw her crying and suggested her to break the door as to know what is happening inside. She reluctantly accepted the offer and few other neighbours broke the door with much strength. Meanwhile, she was praying all gods that nothing should have gone wrong. As the door fell on the ground she saw Shaun lying on the ground blood struck all over his body. It was unacceptable. She stood horror struck and was not able to accept the reality. She fell on her knees holding Shaun’s face in her lap hugging his face tight to her bosom. She closed and opened her eyes to see Shaun doing well. Still his plight did not change. Tears rolled out of her eyes with great force. She cried she cried and she cried like nobody else can do. When she stared at his eyes, they were already empty and lifeless. She was horror struck. This should not have happened to her. 

                                                Suddenly she realized that she had kids too. She pounced into the room where her kids stayed and to her dismay even they were blood struck all over their body. It was as if somebody had hit them with a baseball bat head smashed and blood everywhere. Both were lying down hugging each other motionless and dead. This very sight turned Dona upside down. Her life changed after this very incident. Just then she remembered that her mom was there too; she hoped at least she would be alive. She went up to her room but her worst fears came true. Her mother too laid dead in a pool of blood. She wasn’t even supposed to be there. Dona blamed herself for bring her mom over to stay at her place. In one night her whole life was turned upside down. 

                                                The pain was so much that she become numb. She imagined how her fairy tales life came to an end in a jiffy and how she missed the call from Shaun. She felt out of the world. She wanted to lie on Shaun’s shoulder and tell him all that happened at New Jersey. She missed her mother. She longed for Shaun’s hug; how safe she would feel in his embrace. Who would help her get through this now? Her whole world had come crashing down. She was left with pieces that she didn’t even know how to join back together!

                                      A year had passed since the day that left her devastated. Nothing much had changed; she still cried herself to sleep if ever she slept. Not a day passed when she didn’t sit with the pictures of Shaun, the kids and her mom and cried silent tears.

                   She moans every day, “If I can build stairs with the tear drops I left, I will climb the stair to heaven and bring you down near me”.

                   Nobody knows to this day what had happened that night. The only thing certain is that on that night not only were three innocent lives lost but Dona’s life too came to a standstill. She lives to die! For her, pain is the fuel for her journey of life. For her the pain is what will take her through this voyage to finally drown in the arms of death and be one with them all.