It was early 2006. India was chasing a sizable Pakistani total in front of a hostile home crowd in Lahore. At a crucial moment India lost its star batsman Sachin Tendulkar, still needing tons of run to see through their target.
Those days the end of Tendulkar was regarded as beginning of India's impending end. Nonchalantly walks in a young man with long hair, a tyro following the departure of a connoisseur in Sachin. Nobody expected much from this guy named M S DHONI from a non descript, impoverished state named Jharkhand.
In middle of a hostile India baiting (rather hating) crowd, he led a successful chase staying cool as iceberg. It's not very common to be a newcomer to crash into limelight in a nail biting, pressure cooker rivalry between the arch rivals.
Dhoni's performance in Pakistan's own backyard earned praise from no other than then President General Musharaf, not a huge fan of India or Indians by any standard. (Musharaf incidentally told Dhoni not to cut his trademark long hair).
Arguably Dhoni was the harbinger of a new era when Indians finally got out the cycle of meekly surrendering against Pakistan to the chagrin and disappoint of its fans. Soon India was no more seen as lacking the nerve and guts to fight under adverse circumstances.
Dhoni continued to flourish and never looked back. His quitting today as the Captain of the limited overs format brings back memories of his biggest gift to our nation - under his leadership India winning the much coveted World Cup in 2011. Three years later followed his abrupt relinquishing of test career to the surprise of tens of millions of his fans.
A la most long lasting Indian Captains, Dhoni's tenure wasn't free from its share of controversies, with partisan debates surrounding him. But what's not debatable is his commitment and contributions to Indian cricket. The man has earned it. Hats off to a legend and God to many in a country where cricket is the religion.
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