The Godfather of Cricket in India
If Sachin Tendulkar is the God of Cricket, then MS Dhoni is the Godfather of Indian cricket.
Years may have gone by, but Sachin Tendulkar remains the eternal God of Cricket. These days, making hundreds in ODIs and Tests might seem like a piece of cake. But Sachin had to deal with beasts like Shoaib Akhtar and Wasim Akram on some wickedly difficult surfaces.
In the old days, before DRS was a thing, Sachin Tendulkar notched up a hundred international centuries, a record no one has come close to matching yet. Let’s not even get started on how many times he got out in the nervous 90s.
God Of Cricket – Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar, hailed as the ‘God of Cricket’ worldwide, made his debut for India in a Test match against Pakistan back in 1989. Since then, he has inspired a plethora of young talents to take up the sport for their nation.
Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and other contemporary stars picked up the bat only after being inspired by Sachin Tendulkar, and his enduring influence continues to fuel their passion for the game and win matches for their country.
Sachin Tendulkar Debut Match
Sachin Tendulkar made his international cricket debut on November 15, 1989, in a Test match against Pakistan in Karachi. He was just 16 years old at the time, making him the youngest Indian cricketer to debut in Test cricket.
Though Tendulkar could only manage 15 runs in his debut innings and India lost that match, it marked the beginning of an extraordinary cricketing career that would span over two decades. The Little Master went on to become one of the greatest batters in the history of cricket.
Sachin Tendulkar Runs
Sachin Tendulkar was a trailblazer in cricket, constantly shattering records. Let’s take a look into the runs he scored across different formats during his illustrious career:
| Format | Matches | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Centuries | Fifties |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 200 | 15,921 | 248* | 53.78 | 51 | 68 |
| ODIs | 463 | 18,426 | 200* | 44.83 | 49 | 96 |
| T20Is | 1 | 10 | 10 | 10.00 | 0 |
Who is the Godfather of Indian Cricket?
If Sachin Tendulkar is the God of cricket, then MS Dhoni is the Godfather of cricket in India. When legends like Sachin, Sourav Ganguly, Virender Sehwag, Anil Kumble, and Rahul Dravid hung up their boots, it was MS Dhoni who stepped up and not only led Team India but also guided them to glory record three times.
MS Dhoni, the Selfless Cricketer
In 2014, India was on a tour of Australia. The Test series did not go well for India, and they were facing a heavy defeat. This came after a string of losses in England earlier in the year.
At this point, MS Dhoni was approaching his mid-thirties, and the workload of all three formats might have been taking a toll.
In a surprise move during the ongoing tour of Australia, Dhoni abruptly stepped down from Test captaincy after the third Test match. This decision came in the middle of a series, which is quite unusual.
There wasn’t a formal press conference or a detailed explanation. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) simply announced that Dhoni had decided to focus on limited-overs cricket.
There is no doubt that Test cricket is a physically demanding format, with matches stretching over five days. Dhoni, approaching his mid-thirties, might have felt the need to manage his workload to prolong his career in the shorter, faster-paced limited-overs formats where his skills were most valuable.
The wicket-keeper batter also realized that he was not able to live up to the potential of being the Indian captain in Test cricket, so he selflessly stepped away, giving young players an opportunity to prove themselves.
MS Dhoni: Leading India to ICC Glory
MS Dhoni, the iconic Indian cricketer, etched his name in history as a captain who led India to victory in all three major ICC trophies and became the godfather of Indian cricket.
1. ICC World Twenty20 2007 (South Africa):
A young and vibrant Team India, under Dhoni’s fresh captaincy, surprised the cricketing world by clinching the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 in South Africa. Dhoni’s calm demeanour and astute leadership proved invaluable as India defeated arch-rivals Pakistan in a thrilling final. This win is considered a turning point for Indian cricket, sparking a national obsession with the T20 format.
2. ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 (India):
This World Cup win on home soil remains etched in every Indian cricket fan’s memory. Dhoni’s tactical masterclass and his ability to inspire his players were on full display throughout the tournament. His decision to promote himself up the order in the high-pressure final against Sri Lanka and finish the chase with an unbeaten knock is a moment forever immortalised in cricketing folklore.
3. ICC Champions Trophy 2013 (England):
By clinching the 2013 Champions Trophy in England, Dhoni became the first captain ever to win all three major ICC limited-overs trophies. India under the able leadership of MS Dhoni dominated the tournament. This victory further cemented Dhoni’s reputation as the godfather in Indian cricket.
MS Dhoni: The Godfather of Indian Cricket
One of the biggest achievements of MS Dhoni is his huge impression on the sport and the players he led. With him at the helm, talents like Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma really blossomed.
Dhoni’s leadership style, cool demeanor, and tactical know-how made him a highly respected figure in the cricket world. Players have often talked about their time under his guidance, praising the supportive and nurturing environment he created within the team.
Kuldeep Yadav once spilled the beans on how much fun he had bowling with MS Dhoni behind the stumps. He gave credit to Dhoni for sharing valuable insights and tactical advice that helped him up his game. This little story is proof of Dhoni’s role as a mentor and godfather for young players, nurturing their talents and helping them reach their full potential.
Dhoni’s Legacy Through the Eyes of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, two of India’s cricket superstars, have also thrived under Dhoni’s leadership. Kohli, in particular, has spoken highly of Dhoni’s impact on his career, acknowledging him for instilling confidence and belief in the team.
All in all, MS Dhoni’s captaincy wasn’t just about winning matches, but about nurturing talent, fostering team spirit, and making a lasting impact on the players he led. His legacy as a godfather to young cricketers is something that will always be mentioned whenever he is discussed.
