Amid the ongoing backlash faced by MS Dhoni for his slow-paced batting, the International Cricket Council (ICC) made a video celebrating the achievements of the former India captain.
” A name that changed the face of Indian cricket
A name inspiring millions across the globe
A name with an undeniable legacy
MS Dhoni – not just a name!” read the video message on Twitter with snippets of the 2011 World Cup winning six against Sri Lanka.
🔹 A name that changed the face of Indian cricket
🔹 A name inspiring millions across the globe
🔹 A name with an undeniable legacyMS Dhoni – not just a name! #CWC19 | #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/cDbBk5ZHkN
— ICC (@ICC) July 6, 2019
Dhoni, 37, is not having a good time with his bat as he has managed only one half-century in the 2019 World Cup so far. Meanwhile, Dhoni is facing flak for his slow starts as well.
Speculations are high that the Ranchi-lad may hang up his boots after the conclusion of the ongoing World Cup in England and Wales.
“As a fellow wicketkeeper, he has been an idol of mine, growing up. Mr. Cool! I love his persona on the field. He is very calm and in control when he bats, and has got fantastic hands behind the stumps. He is a great ambassador for the game. I am a huge MS Dhoni fan,” said England’s wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler in the video.
“One of the greats of the game. He is a phenomenal wicketkeeper. Nothing’s new to him. He knows the game inside out and he has done it year after year. His bat speaks for itself,” added England all-rounder Ben Stokes.
India skipper Virat Kohli also heaped praise on his former captain saying, “What you see from the outside is very different from how things happen within a person. His greatest skill is to maintain his composure during the toughest of moments and that’s why he is so good. He is able to make such good decisions under pressure. There is so much to learn from him. When I walked into the team (Indian), he was my captain and he will always be my captain in my head.”
“We all love him being around in the team. He enjoys every bit of being on the field. Our understanding has been great over the years. When I walked into the team, the reason he gave me chances is because he believed I had the right intention. I could do anything for the team together. Off the field, he understands me fully and I understand him fully,” added Kohli.
India pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah adds that Dhoni’s presence is a calming influence in the dressing room and younger players always approach him when in doubt.
“For me, when I came into the Indian team in 2016, he was the captain. So that was a good relief for me. He is a calming influence in the team.”
India are already in the semi-finals of the 2019 World Cup and have only lost to England so far. Interestingly, Men in Blue are more likely to face England at the knockout stage.