India ODI women’s team skipper Mithali Raj and star batter Smriti Mandhana praised the just-retired Mahendra Singh Dhoni, calling the two-time World Cup-winning captain “an inspiration and institution in himself”.
Dhoni, the only captain to have won all the ICC trophies, retired from international cricket on Saturday, more than a year after he last played for India — the lost World Cup semifinal against New Zealand.
Mithali Raj Praised MS Dhoni:
“Dhoni is an inspiration and institution in himself. He literally walks the talk, he is the dream of every small-town boy who aspires to play for the country and achieve it all,” Mithali said in a video posted by the BCCI on its official Twitter handle.
“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
“Respect, fame, and the love of people, I particularly admired him for his nerves of steel, innate calm and cool visage even under difficult situations.
“And of course his inimitable style, whether it is batting or wicket-keeping.”
Dhoni, who made his ODI debut in 2004, played 350 ODIs, 90 Tests and 98 T20I matches for India.
The Indian women’s team veteran added, “That helicopter shot, outside of any cricketing textbook, is a testament of his originality, talent, and self-belief. There will never be another like him. MS Dhoni is a legend etched in time forever.”
Mandhana also heaped praise on Dhoni:
“I still remember the way Dhoni sir walked out to bat in the 2011 World Cup final. The confidence on his face was something which I got inspired,” Mandhana said in another video uploaded by the cricket board.
“I am sure he has inspired everyone around him to be a better cricketer, a leader and most importantly a better human being. Thank you for your contribution Dhoni sir,” she added.
“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
Ricky Ponting Praises Dhoni:
Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting praised MS Dhoni by pointing that there was a big difference in the leadership abilities between him and MS Dhoni.
“He [MS Dhoni] never seems to let his emotions get the better of him, which is a really good trait in a leader — as hard as I tried when I was on the field, I could never quite stay in complete control of my emotions.” Ricky Ponting told news.com.au.
Also read: I Would Try And Finish Games the Way Virat Kohli Does for Team India: Smriti Mandhana
