India ODI captain Mithali Raj said on Monday that she has always admired former India captain and one of the best finishers of the game – MS Dhoni for his nerves of steel during high-pressure situations. She told after MS Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket recently after having a 16-year-long career.
“Dhoni is an inspiration and institution in himself. He walks the talk, he is the dream of every small-town boy who wants to play for the country and achieve it all,” Mithali Raj said in a video shared by the BCCI Women’s official Twitter handle.
“I have admired him for his nerves of steel, and for his calm nature in difficult situations, that helicopter shot outside of any cricketing textbook, he is a testament of his originality and talent. There will never another like him, he is a legend, edged in time forever,” she added.
“He literally walks the talk. He is a dream for every small town boy who aspires to play for the country and achieve it all.”#TeamIndia WODI side skipper @M_Raj03 on why she admires @msdhoni. #ThankYouDhoni pic.twitter.com/V3q67wFpx4
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) August 17, 2020
Recently, India’s swashbuckling opener Smriti Mandhana also shared her thoughts on MS Dhoni’s retirement.
“I still remember the way Mahi sir walked out to bat in the 2011 World Cup final, the confidence on his face was something which I got inspired by, I am sure he has inspired everyone around him to be a better cricketer and most importantly a better human being,” Mandhana said in a video shared by the BCCI Women Twitter handle.
On Saturday, MS Dhoni had announced his retirement through an Instagram post. The wicket-keeper-batsman Dhoni shared the post with the caption, “Thanks a lot for ur love and support throughout. from 1929 hrs consider me as Retired.”
The video featured the song ‘Mai Pal Do Pal Ka Shayar Hu’ from the hit movie ‘Kabhie Kabhie’ where Dhoni shared his stunning journey in a collage since his debut to his final match against New Zealand in the 2019 ICC World Cup semifinal.
Notably, MS Dhoni is the first and the only captain to win all three ICC Trophies, including the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2011, ICC World T20 in 2007 in South Africa and the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013 in England.
He is undoubtedly the quickest man behind the stump. MS Dhoni has 195 international stumpings, the most by any wicket-keeper. He played 350 ODIs with the highest score of 183 against Sri Lanka. However, he will continue to lead Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The tournament will take place in the UAE from September 19 to November 10.
