MS Dhoni and Leadership Skills

Dhoni's distance from the stumps for the last ball : 13 meters from the stumps

Mustafizur Rahman was standing at the non striker end when the ball was delivered: 19 meters from the stumps, with the bat and hand extension giving him a 1.5 meter advantage: 17.5 meters from the stumps
When Pandya bowled the last ball, Mustafir had already left the crease and when the ball reached Dhoni's hands, he was already half way down the pitch: 10 metres.

.No other wicket keeper in the world would have tried to run all the way to the stumps considering the fresh fast legs of Mustafir. Some might have thrown the ball at the stumps. If Johnty Rhodes was behind the wicket, he would have attempted to fly down and knock the stumps. But Dhoni tried to do the unthinkable. He tried to do the impossible. He took on Mustafizur.
Dhoni covered the 13 meter distance in 2 seconds (A start that Ussain Bolt would be proud of) and also defeated Mustafir's extended bat.

Everyone talks about the presence of mind that Dhoni has and the manner in which he removed the gloves for the last ball; yet if we analyse the last ball minutely, we will realize the roaring lion that resides inside the captain cool Dhoni that made him run like a mad man. That is the confidence that moves the entire team.

Sunil Gavaskar rates MS Dhoni as one of the most selfless cricketer to captain India. The leadership skills of Dhoni will be put to test against Steve Wonder this Sunday. Gavaskar also attributes to the acumen of Dhoni to make those subtle changes in field placements. In the last but one over, how a more athletic Jadeja replaced Shikhar Dhawan at deep midwicket. And Jadeja pulled of a blinder to dismiss a rampaging Mahmudullah that snuffed out all Bangladeshi's last hope.  Interestingly,  Dhawan had on a previous ball caught Mushfiqur Rahim at the same spot, yet Dhoni made a subtle change in the field. That is gut feeling .
 The Bangladeshi batsmen succumbed to glamour shots, when victory was in their grasp. Individual glory can never be a substitute for a team's success.

What triggers this intuitive power and ability  among some individuals and sportsmen. They are in their  zone and extremely confident. Such people count their blessings and the Universe bestows all bounties to positive thinking individu 

Oh ! my God it will be Ganesh Chathurthi versus Easter Sunday. All in lighter vein. We will root for India. And hopefully men in blue do not disappoint us.

A biopic on MS  has been filmed. Sushant Singh Rajput plays the role. Dhoni began his career with South Eastern Railways as a Train Ticket Examiner( TTE). From humble beginnings the man has risen the ladder through inspiration and perspiration. General Musharaff , exhorted Dhoni not to change his flowing hair style. But the captain after India's remarkable win the world cup ( 2011) adopted a pate as thanks giving measure. This reflects remarkable adaptability in Captain Cool. Yes following our World Cup victory, India had a forgettable and disastrous  summer in England and a pathetic winter down under. But that did not make Dhoni lose his Zen like cool.

Leadership is both a research area and a practical skill, regarding the ability of an individual or an organisation to 'lead' or guide other individuals, teams , or entire organisation. Dhoni possesses those remarkable qualities of leadership. He has been castigated for failures( who does not fail) , but we forget the trophies embellishing the cupboard's of BCCI.


Sachin Tendulkar needs to be congratulated for ensuring that he, Dravid and Ganguly did not play the first  T-20 World Cup and India defeated arch rivals Pakistan in South Africa way back in 2007. A young and energetic team led by MS Dhoni played high quality cricket . It was high octane stuff and India climbed the summit.

Success of Dhoni has put Raipur and small mofusil towns on the cricketing map of India . To my mind this is his lasting contribution. Young players not from privileged backgrounds  and small towns now wield the willow, swing the ball and dive like panthers to save precious runs. Hitherto, cricket was a sport patronised by corporates, politicians and the four Metros.

Children from all backgrounds , cultures and religions take to this sport  from various parts of the country. This is the spiraling effect of MS Dhoni's aura.

' If your actions inspire others to dream more , do more , and become more, you are a leader' writes John Quincy Adams.