The Best!!!

 He Came, He Conquered, He Left!!!

Millions of Fans all over the World!!!

An Awesome Cricketing Brain!!!

Huge Risk Taker!!!

Believer in No.7!!!

The most successful Indian Captain!!! (Captain Cool)

The BEST!!!

    - Yeah you guessed it right - Mr. Mahendra Singh Dhoni!!! (Mahii)

"When you die, you die. You don't think which is a better way to die" This reply of Dhoni speaks volume about his character and mettle. It was in a press release when he was asked which was more hurting - The England 2011 Whitewash or The Whitewash in Australia.Not only the meida tears you apart after a losing foreign tour but the burden of expectation of 1.3 billion Indians is too tough to meet.

Being the Captain of the Indian Cricket Team is probably the most difficult job in India. Even though no captain leaves any stone unturned to bring out the best in the team, failures are part of the sports but Indians can never digest the same and immediately react to the same negatively. Even stalwart like Sachin Tendulkar could not handle the pressure of captainship.  
In the words of Sachin Tendulkar, " Dhoni is the best Captain I have played under". 

The Times of India quote sums up his ability of being the Best Captain, Batsman, Wicket-keeper and a wonderful Finisher. The quote says - "Men like Adam Gilchrist, Viv Richards, Kapil Dev have better strike rate than Dhoni. A few like Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Pointing, Sanath Jayasurya would always remain out of his reach by way of runs. But none of the legends have donned as many hats as Dhoni does or has done well over a period of time.

Apart from the instances stated above, the statistics is hugely in favour of Mahii as the most successful Captain. MS Dhoni is the only Indian Captain who has led India to all three major ICC events. From Winning the maiden T20 World Cup in 2007 on his Captaincy debut to lead India to World Cup Victory on home soil in 2011 and further, Winning Champions Trophy in 2013 proves his Leadership abilities.

What makes him a wonderful Captain is his risk taking abilities.Ian Bishop once said, "If 15 runs are needed off 6 balls, Pressure is on Bowler and not on Dhoni". Millions of fans who have watched nail biting finishes have seen Dhoni declining single run in the final over and finishing the match with a four/six with his signature style. Nonetheless, such move have led him to face the music of media too when matches were lost.

To make a bold statement as to bring in Rotation Policy wherein Stalwarts like Sachin, Sehwag and Gambhir, be given break between matches to improve Fielding standards on field did not go well. Even when he was a Captain, there were notes in media stating he was a reason for exclusion of legends like Ganguly, Dravid from Indian Cricket team. Definitely, a huge decision by a young captain but then winning T20 World Cup silenced his critics.

Nobody can forget his decision to drop the Right Hand Gloves in the final match against Bangladesh during 2016 T20 world cup to run out Mustafizur Rehman and enter the Quarter finals. Bangladesh needed just 2 runs and 1 run would have meant a Super over. But the cricketing brain of Dhoni ensured that India won by 1 run. 

Even the T20 World cup Win during Bowl out against Pakistan in 2007 speaks volume about Dhoni's pro-activeness. He had picked up players who would bowl the Bowl out and practiced the same. The likes of  Sehwag, Harbhajan, Robin Uthappa hitting the stumps ensured they Won in Style. The Pakistan team did not practice bowl out and lost it. 

Many stump camera conversation of Dhoni with his bowlers during a match shows his presence of mind and commitment towards the game. Once during a Press interview, he quoted - "I'm on a National Duty, everything else can wait". This was in response to a question when Ziva, his daughter was born and a reporter had asked whether it was playing in his mind just before the 2015  World Cup.

All his hardwork gave him huge recognition nationally and internationally too. He is conferred with Padma Bhushan in 2018, Padma Shri in 2009, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award in 2007-08. He was declared ICC ODI Player of the Year for 2008 and 2009.  In 2011, Dhoni was conferred the rank of honorary lieutenant-colonel in the Indian Territorial Army for his contribution to Cricket. Of late, in August 2019, he completed a 2 week stint with Territorial Army in Jammu & Kashmir.

Being a champion himself, he ensured that the team he captained in IPL - CSK were champions during 2010, 2011 and 2018. Also, he loves his franchisee wearing the yellow tshirt and the fans of Chennai are crazy for this magical person and refer him as "Thala". 

Dhoni always believed in style and swag. His retirement from International Cricket was through Instagram post on 74th Independence day of India which read, "Thanks a ton for the love and support throughout, from 1929 hours consider me retired". I do not remember anyone else moving out so calmly from the glamorous world of cricket. By next day morning, this instagram post was viewed by over 2 crore fans

On thinking further, this is the perfect way to retire, where fans want him to continue playing. A perfect retirement plan even during otherwise gloomy days. Everyone will see Dhoni playing in the Yellow Jersey for some more time but yeah, seeing him in Blue Jersey would be An Unfulfilled Wish for many fans.

Dhoni is the Best not in comparison to anyone in the past nor anyone in future. He was the best when he was playing his style of cricket in his own special way. 

In life too, we compare ourselves with someone in the past or someone new who may arose but remember, you the BEST in your own special way. Enjoy your uniqueness and Live your life your sweet way!!!

PS: I'm a greater fan of Sachin than Dhoni but Dhoni is Special in his place and this is my small tribute to a great legend - Who came, Conquered and Left!!!