India’s swashbuckling opener Smriti Mandhana said on Monday that wicket-keeper batsman MS Dhoni has inspired everyone around him to be a better cricketer as well as a human being. She said after MS Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket recently after having a successful 16-year-long cricketing career.
“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.
Smriti Mandhana also said about Dhoni’s knock in the 2011 ICC World Cup final. During the game, Dhoni came to bat early and played a match-winning knock to guide India to their second 50-over World Cup title.
“He has inspired everyone around him to be a better cricketer, leader and most importantly, a better human being,” #TeamIndia batter @mandhana_smriti hails “inspirational” @msdhoni.#ThankYouMSDhoni pic.twitter.com/7fh3LKTvDI
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) August 17, 2020
However, MS Dhoni had announced his retirement through Instagram on Saturday. He shared a video 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.
