Now he holds the post of Vice-President of a big
Corporate; has interests in a IPL team, coowns Indian Super League Team
Chennaiyin FC; racing team and Hockey team too.
He has been a recipient of many awards including ICC ODI player of the
year; Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna; Padma Shri….. and more.
He has captained India
to glory in T20 WC 2007 and WC 2011.
While many would reel out his statistics of Tests,
ODIs, T20s – here is something from a tour to Kenya which catapulted him to the
big league – remember seeing him a fearless youngster making runs fast in the
Tri Nation tournament held at Kenya.
In the 1st match Pak A made 222 in 50 overs – they
were captained by Misbah ul Haq and there were Kamran Akmal Taufeeq Umar and
others. Indians were captained by Sairaj Bahutule and bowling attack was Amit
Bhandari, SS Paul, AM Salvi, Bahutule, S Sriam and Ramesh Powar. India opened with Akash Chopra and Gautam
Gambhir. MSD made a dashing 70 and his
partnership with Venugopal Rao sealed the match.
On 16th Aug 2004 at Gymkhana Club Nairobhi, Dhoni
made a sensational 120 off 122 balls with 10 fours and 2 sixers. Gambhir made 122 as India made 330 for 6 in
50 overs. Pak could muster only 209. A
couple of days later on 19th Aug 2004, Pak made 234 aided by skipper Misbah’s
century. Dhoni got in at 1.2 when
Indians were 8/1, joined Gambhir who made 79.
Dhoni remained unbeaten on 119 with 9 fours and 5 sixers taking India to
an easy win. – that heralded arrival of
the new Star, though it was Dinesh Karthik who preceded him.
With regards – S. Sampathkumar
31st Oct 2014.
