As the cricketing world celebrated the 42nd birthday of the legendary wicket-keeper batsman, MS Dhoni, Indian cricketers came forward to express their admiration and gratitude towards the former captain. From his confident stride during the 2011 World Cup final to his nerves of steel under pressure, Dhoni has inspired and influenced his players in more ways than one.
Batter extraordinaire Smriti Mandhana reminisced about the 2011 World Cup final and the lasting impression Dhoni made on her. She recalled his confident demeanor while walking out to bat, which inspired her and many others. In a video posted by the BCCI Women’s Twitter handle, Mandhana stated, “I am sure he has inspired everyone around him to be a better cricketer and most importantly a better human being.” Dhoni’s influence on the next generation of players is undeniable, leaving an indelible mark on Mandhana’s career.
Smriti Mandhana's birthday wishes for the legend, MS Dhoni 🙌🏻💯#CricketTwitter #HappyBirthdayMSDhoni pic.twitter.com/2YR1clVi8T
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) July 7, 2023
Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who has had the privilege of playing under the leadership of both Sourav Ganguly and MS Dhoni, acknowledged the immense contribution of the former captains in her cricketing journey. Kaur highlighted Dhoni’s exceptional game awareness, describing him as “clever” on the field. She emphasized that even today, watching Dhoni’s old match videos provides valuable insights. “I always try to pick up small things that can help me and the team on the field,” Kaur remarked, acknowledging the impact of Dhoni’s captaincy on her life.
An inspiration for every generation! 🙌🏻
A very Happy Birthday, MS! 🥳🎂#CricketTwitter #HappyBirthdayMSDhoni pic.twitter.com/Jtc1qb072K
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) July 7, 2023
Mithali Raj, one of India’s most successful women cricketers, expressed her deep admiration for MS Dhoni’s nerves of steel during high-pressure situations. Raj described Dhoni as an inspiration and an institution in himself. Admiring his calm nature and unconventional batting style, Mithali Raj emphasized Dhoni’s unique talent and originality, particularly the iconic helicopter shot. She further stated, “There will never be another like him, he is a legend, edged in time forever.” Dhoni’s ability to handle intense moments and his journey from a small-town boy to a national icon resonated deeply with Mithali Raj.
Reflecting on Dhoni’s career, Jhulan Goswami, the fast bowler from West Bengal, acknowledged that every athlete has a finite span in their career. Goswami praised Dhoni’s numerous international achievements and doubted that the Indian cricket team would find another player like him. As someone who idolizes Dhoni and played a similar role as a finisher in the Indian women’s team, Goswami shared her childhood admiration for the legendary cricketer. She also highlighted the support she received from her father in pursuing her dreams, just as Dhoni had inspired her.
As MS Dhoni celebrated his 42nd birthday, his impact on Indian cricketers was evident through their heartfelt tributes. Each player acknowledged Dhoni’s influence on their cricketing journeys from Smriti Mandhana to Harmanpreet Kaur, Mithali Raj, and Jhulan Goswami. Dhoni’s confidence, strategic acumen, nerve under pressure, and unconventional approach to the game have left an indelible mark on his teammates, inspiring them to become better cricketers and individuals. As the cricketing fraternity celebrated his birthday, the legend of MS Dhoni continued to shine brightly, etched in the annals of cricket history forever.
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