New Delhi: In Indian sports such an occurrence is a very rare event. The multiplexes running the biopic on the ‘reel’ MS Dhoni are running to full houses, while the real Dhoni is sweating it out on the grounds, with just one dream and that is to whitewash New Zealand in the ongoing ODI series. The first authentic step to that whitewash has been taken with an emphatic victory at Dharamsala. Act two of the five-act match starts here Thursday at the Feroz Shah Kotla where Dhoni’s brigade will clash with Kane Williamson’s warriors.
In recent times, the Mahi magic has given way to the Kohli charisma. More so after the Indian limited overs captain relinquished his place in the Test side. He knows himself that public memory is fickle – biopic or no biopic, the only exception being Sachin Tendulkar. He knows that with India playing 13 home Tests this season, Kohli’s popularity graph will be on the ascendancy. But then ‘Captain Cool’ is still not ready to vacate his throne so quickly.
The post-Test era Dhoni has mellowed down a lot in front of journalists. That is why when a reporter known to Dhoni for close to 20 years pointed out to the skipper that even he did not know about the cricketer’s first girlfriend as shown in the biopic, Dhoni remarked with a smile, “That is my USP, keeping things secret.”
Well as far as the Indian team are concerned, it is no secret as MSD will persist with the same playing XI that played at Dharamsala. As the pitch here looks flat and a belter for batsmen, the Kiwis may include Matt Henry in place of Ish Sodhi. Also Ross Taylor’s run of poor scores has been a botheration for them, but keeping in mind his experience, the Kiwi think tank might persist with the veteran batsman for one more game.
But then this game is not about India and New Zealand. It is about a man, who has suddenly increased his training schedule to get rid of the tag of ‘spent force’. He knows Delhi is all ready to celebrate if its poster boy, Kohli plays another match-winning knock. But he also knows that another Dhoni-like innings can turn the passion of the crowd towards him and what better place it could be than to achieve that in Kohli’s own city. It is an inner battle that MS is waging, the battle for betterment and if that happens, India can only benefit.
Champions die hard and Dhoni is determined to prove that adage true.
Agencies
