MS Dhoni - The Real Spirit of Cricket World
NewsBharati 28-Dec-2020 16:52:30 PM
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Every cricket fan is aware of the phrase called, "Cricket is a gentleman's game" but there are very few cricketers who actually play like a gentleman. Speaking of it, nobody will disagree when the name of MS Dhoni pops up being a true gentleman in the cricket. Mahendra Singh Dhoni is a name that is associated with glories, accolades, selflessness, and uncountable tales of wisdom.
From a young man with long hair who was famous for his destructive stroke-play, to one of the best leaders cricket worlds has witnessed, he has made a significant transition in Team India. Mastering a sense of tranquility as a captain, batsman, and wicket-keeper, the journey of MS Dhoni has been one to cherish for the ages.
While Dhoni always focussed on 'winning big', he also stressed on 'winning fair'. He never adopted any unethical way to win over his opponents, and always played the game in its true spirit and integrity. One such example is his gesture of calling back England batsman Ian Bell after a bizarre run out in the Nottingham Test in 2011. This has not only won the hearts of every cricket fan but also the ICC Spirit of Cricket Award of the Decade.
But what really happened?
In 2011’s England vs India Second Test match at Nottingham, on the last ball before Tea on Day 3 of the Test match, Ian Bell hit a shot behind square on the offside. Praveen Kumar who stood at the boundary dived to stop the ball close to the boundary line. However, the ball remained inside the boundary but Kumar reacted with great despondency as if the ball touched the boundary line. He got up and without any hurry, threw the ball back to the batsman's end where opener Abhinav Mukund collected the throw without any excitement and removed the bails.
At the same moment, Bell was way out of the crease, almost at the other end, and assuming that it was a boundary, kept walking towards the pavilion for the tea break. There was not a strong appeal coming from the Indian side. However, the replays showed that Kumar had actually made a clean save and therefore, the ball was in play when Mukund removed the bails.
As a result, the third umpire gave Bell, who had completely century, out. The entire stadium booed and criticized the Indians off the field as the team went for tea. Most commentators, including Ravi Shastri and Michael Atherton, believed Bell was at fault and thought there was nothing wrong with what happened.
Afterward, the English captain Andrew Strauss went to the Indian dressing room during the break. Over the course of tea, the India team led by captain Dhoni decided to retract the appeal, as batsman Rahul Dravid explained. When the Indian team came out after tea, they were again booed. But what happened after which no one imagined and left everyone in shock. Bell came out again. The English team showed their appreciation and for their opponents by clapping for them when they came out.
“There was a team discussion during the tea interval, Dhoni and Fletcher convened the meeting, and Dhoni led it. There was a feeling of unanimity that we should reinstate Bell because the spirit of the game was important and that getting him out in that way would contravene the spirit.”
After the game, Bell said, “I didn't know until the last minute that I would be going back out again but the way it's been handled has been fantastic and in the spirit of the game.”
Dhoni was given the Spirit of Cricket Award for that year by ICC for this very act. The decision of the Indian team was supported by Sourav Ganguly who was commentating on the series. Now, he has also won the ICC Spirit of Cricket Award of the Decade.
This is not the only one act which is when MS Dhoni proved that he is the true gentleman of cricket. There are several incidents that have set an example for all the aspiring as well as the current cricketers.
Dhoni being coined as 'Captain Cool', has always ushered a sense of tranquility on the field and maintains his trademark smile on the face even after a loss. It is his sportsmanship, that Dhoni is one of the most loved cricketers globally.
Anjali Ankad
Anjali Ankad has completed graduation in Journalism and Mass Communication and Masters in Journalism. While working as a sub-editor to Newsbharati, she aims to make her hand robust on sports.