In football, there is something called the ‘first touch’. When seen with a keen eye, more often than not it provides an immediate impression on an athlete’s mind about the skill and caliber of the subject. In cricket too, first impressions go some way in defining a batsman or bowler. The smooth run-up, the side-arm action, and the use of the crease and seam tell you a lot about a fast bowler.
Something like this told me Mahendra Singh Dhoni would one day become an icon of the game. The sound of the bat meeting the leather conveys a lot of things and in 2004, when I first saw Dhoni batting at the nets in Dhaka, the power with which he was striking the ball made me take instant notice and I told Sourav (Ganguly) that this guy has “jaan in his haath” (life in his hands) and will go places if he keeps striking the ball with such ferocity. He was making his Indian debut on the back of scoring a lot of runs in domestic cricket, but international matches would be different. He did not make a lot of runs in Bangladesh, but there were elements in his arsenal that made him the special one.
Seven years later, I was proven right when Dhoni clubbed the six to win India the 2011 ICC World Cup at the Wankhede Stadium. The ‘helicopter’ shot had the same jhatka with which he has nonchalantly slaughtered bowling attacks across the world. The enormous power generated from his bat swing made Dhoni a unique batsman and when someone has scored more than 17,000 runs in international cricket, we must respect the way he batted.
Denne historien er fra August 31, 2020-utgaven av Outlook.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra August 31, 2020-utgaven av Outlook.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Pillars of Viksit Bharat 2024
The Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Viksit Bharat 2047' represents a complete blueprint for the country’s prosperity during its Amrit Kaal towards attaining resolutions made for Aatmanirbhar Bharat’
Innovation in Healthcare Products
Vatsal Desai pioneering the path to healthier living in a growing India
A Master Weaver of Heart Health
In the intricate tapestry of interventional cardiology, Dr Vashisth Das stands out as a master weaver, deftly navigating the delicate threads of life and technology to mend hearts and restore hope
Viksit Bharat 2047: Empowering India through Education & Self-Reliance
As India approaches 2047, the centenary of its independence, the dream of a “Viksit Bharat” – a fully developed, selfsufficient, and inclusive nation – is steadily turning into reality.
Revolutionising New Age Learning
A visionary leader and an educationist par excellence, GS Patnaik shares with the Outlook Group his approach towards driving Value-based and holistic learning initiatives
Pioneering Social Transformation
Achyuta Samanta dedicated to bringing about social change through education and social services for people at the grassroots level
A Vision for Developed India
The concept of Viksit Bharat” Developed India) embodies the aspiration for a prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable India. The framework for achieving this ambitious but achievable goal, in my opinion, can be articulated through some key pillars that serve as the foundation for national progress
Chasing Dreams Relentlessly
For the young and aspiring youth, Manu Bhaker is a fine example of how hard work and perseverance can help achieve set targets
Standing Tall as a Pillar in Healthcare Sector
As technology is advancing and there is an upsurge in medical sciences, Yashoda Hospital is keeping up to its promise of providing top tier healthcare services using specialised and advanced medical technologies and equipment.
Upholding/Strengthening India's 'Viksit Bharat' Dreams
Landmark Crafts Pvt. Ltd., Ghaziabad, Delhi-NCR, is a flourishing enterprise where necessity, keen identification of agap and the right timing of launching HP Self-Drilling Screws in 1995, backed by grit, is a perfect recipe of a success story that pioneered an industry. Mr Pankaj Lidoo and MrVipin Lidoo, Directors of the company, hailing from Kashmir, have set their target to achieve India's dream of a Viksit Bharat by 2047 with visionary zeal