Last word
Rajan Bala
Skipper Dhoni reads people well
March 09, 2008
At the conclusion of the Indian triumph of the Commonwealth Bank series, India captain M.S. Dhoni, whose love for motorcycles is well known, remarked as if in relief that he would be able to ride his favourite one.
For one who is the toast of the entire nation of cricket-obsessed people, it seems a sort of observation that is bound to make one wonder about the man and his thought process. The easiest thing to say is that there has never been another Dhoni in Indian cricket.
Coming from Ranchi, which for long was the butt of poor humour - as it had a lunatic asylum - Dhoni's rise has at least intrigued, if not baffled students of the game. Yet, for him to become an acknowledged expert in his cricket, there is a long way to go - both as a batsman and wicketkeeper.
Ask him and he might say that he could do better. So, for the moment the fact that he probably surprised himself with his success as ODI captain, has ensured that he stands apart from his team-mates. Yet there is very little that is known about him.
Where and how did he develop to become such a different ODI captain?
I have been studying his statements issued from time to time - remarkably clear thinking and to the point - and have wondered how a 26-year-old has such a fine grasp over psychology. Is it natural because more than once he has said that he backs his instinct?
I am convinced that there is more to Dhoni than meets the eye. When the dust has finally settled, wiser heads in Australia would argue that they were not only beaten by a better side, but outwitted by an individual who reads people exceptionally well.
Republished with permission from The Asian Age
For one who is the toast of the entire nation of cricket-obsessed people, it seems a sort of observation that is bound to make one wonder about the man and his thought process. The easiest thing to say is that there has never been another Dhoni in Indian cricket.
Coming from Ranchi, which for long was the butt of poor humour - as it had a lunatic asylum - Dhoni's rise has at least intrigued, if not baffled students of the game. Yet, for him to become an acknowledged expert in his cricket, there is a long way to go - both as a batsman and wicketkeeper.
Ask him and he might say that he could do better. So, for the moment the fact that he probably surprised himself with his success as ODI captain, has ensured that he stands apart from his team-mates. Yet there is very little that is known about him.
Where and how did he develop to become such a different ODI captain?
I have been studying his statements issued from time to time - remarkably clear thinking and to the point - and have wondered how a 26-year-old has such a fine grasp over psychology. Is it natural because more than once he has said that he backs his instinct?
I am convinced that there is more to Dhoni than meets the eye. When the dust has finally settled, wiser heads in Australia would argue that they were not only beaten by a better side, but outwitted by an individual who reads people exceptionally well.
Republished with permission from The Asian Age
