MSD, the magicain at work!!!

Here's the one who negotiates the 22 yards like 64 squares. 

Cricket means a lot to Indian fans. While we normally go berserk in celebrating hard earned victories, the celebrations turn manifold when it comes against an Aussie side or Pakistan for whatever reason it may be. Yet it is, but a wonder when we get to see MS Dhoni react to wins, be it in an international game or an IPL game. A subtle smile and a mild sense of relief is all what we get to witness from our captain cool. 

But I'm sure none of us would have missed on noticing that extra enthusiasm in his celebration after India wrapped up the second test against the Aussies a couple of months back at Hyderabad (of course we had once witnessed an outburst from the captain when he led CSK to an improbable win against Kings XI in IPL 2010 which was an exception). What normally would be a smile followed by the uprooting of a stump for his souvenir collection turned out to be quite fan like. The reason - it was extra special. He pumped his fist in celebration and exchanged hi-fives, he showed it meant a lot to him too and it certainly did. With that victory, he became the most successful India Test captain. Some may have found it hard to believe (as a hardcore fan of Dada, I did), but he surpassed Sourav Ganguly's record of 21 test wins. 

Over the course of his career, "the Captain Cool" image seems to have run out. Not that he has lost his cool now but then a transformation to being a committed leader has taken fore. A visibly pro-active, attacking and more involved leader who seems to be reinventing himself at every turn with both captaincy and the bat. The circumstances off late have forced Dhoni to discover a more urgent, inspiring manner in which to lead this young Indian cricket team. Under any situation, he doesn't disclose too much which would let opposition know about what's going on in his mind. I just doubt if his own teammates have any idea of what he's thinking. He has probably got the best cricketing brains around which we so often hear from most cricket experts. Captaining, batting at death, standing up to pace bowlers; he does it all and yet excels in his own way and lets all his critics in awe. 

Over the last couple of years or so, Dhoni has wielded his willow tremendously under pressure to win matches for not just India but also for his side in the Indian Premier League. It is so astonishing to witness his ability to score winning runs in dying moments of the matches, when all chips are down. As a one off it is remarkable enough, but the fact is that Dhoni keeps doing this time and again - in ODIs, in IPL matches, even in world cup finals, and the stage doesn't get any bigger than that. You watch him and marvel at his skill and bravado and unrelenting consistency. There is this total certainty in his body language, which is intensely reassuring to his team-mates and utterly demoralizing to his opponents.

While chasing down big totals, he often chooses to leave it a little late (getting things too close for comfort) or we may think so but the fact remains that he makes his final assault then and leads his side to victory with his typical calmness. (Giving a glimpse of hope of a win for the opponents and then snatching it right away seems a bit cruel though). Many critics have stressed on finishing things off early but that doesn't deter MSD from what he does best. Wait and strike a late assault. And if you think he does it to only bowlers of little reputation; you are mistaken. He has done it to the best in business. The Malingas, Steyns, Andersons, Ajmals... have all got their share from him.

There is an inevitability in what he is going to do. All his opponents exactly know what his intentions are. And yet they seem inert, and he is unstoppable, almost invincible, fueled as he is by the power of positive thought and calmness which is bound to cast the opposition in utter stress. He is a magician wagging his wand not only on his fielders but also on the minds of his haters. He turns them all into liking him over the course and he does it with a touch of elegance which is not a feature of his batting. You can but admire him for what he is and what he does in the cricketing field. 

For time to come, lets hope his magic continues to take Indian cricket to great heights.

- DC