After quitting International cricket, India’s ex-captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is experiencing a new innings at the domestic level. Even though Dhoni lost the Midas touch of the finisher tag at India level recently, he continues to dominate with big hitting in the Vijay Hazare matches. Mahi took Jharkhand side to the semi-final of the tournament at the Palam Ground and finished the game with a six. Life was also tough for Dhoni fans, who stood on the fence of the ground for the entirety of the game with the Air Force owned ground not equipped to handle large crowds. Even the Chairman of selectors MSK Prasad was watching the proceedings quietly from the sidelines. So, the fans could not exploit the situation and have much say with Mahi in the midst of the match.
There is always a first for everything and no wonder MS Dhoni will be remembered as the first among equals signing an autograph for a crazy fan while he was out there batting for Jharkhand in the quarterfinal match against Vidarbha. As the cricket field is in the vicinity of Delhi International Airport we can see flights landing every three minutes and that was obstructing the concentration of the batsmen and fielders and at the same time prevent umpires hearing faint snicks. Crazy fans are not uncommon especially in India where cricketers enjoy demi-God status.
Whether Abbas Ali Baig being kissed during a test match or Brijesh Patel getting a hug and kiss by a lady wearing black saree at the Brabourne Stadium are all loving memories in the cricketing field. Even an overzealous Sourav Ganguly fan breached all security cordon to touch the feel of Dada as the cricketers young and old have a tale to tell. But Dhoni wearing half sleeves red and blue check shirt along with denims could not have realised that once he had evaded the security and reached the centre strip, the Indian skipper standing at the no-striker end would oblige as he put forth a white sheet for his autograph. As Jharkhand was coasting along towards a modest victory target, the skipper was in good mood and obliged the fan.
Cricketers face ups and downs in their cricketing career but Dhoni did enjoy his cricketing days in the most enjoyable way. As he was called Captain Cool he did make his presence felt and for the first time a player did sign an autograph while batting in the middle. It is yet another first for the big hitter. Thus, Dhoni makes his fan happy and signs autograph in the process. It was a rare sight as Dhoni walked into the middle in the sane setting of Palam Ground with business as usual on the road leading to the stadium. Mahi ways make a fan happy and Dhoni dhamaka continues on and off the field at the domestic level now. Dhoni ka jawab nahi.
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
