I want to meet Mahi's mentor

Kris Srikkanth Wednesday, April 30, 2008

With every passing game my admiration for Dhoni's captaincy has only grown. Many captains in world cricket would have had a creased brow when the Wasim Jaffer-Ross Taylor partnership was on. Instead Dhoni was a picture of calmness even when the match seemed to be slipping away. A leader's greatest gift is not to let the pressure get to the players, especially the bowlers. Running up to them each time and saying encouraging words seem to have had a positive effect on them. Remember bowling is not the Super Kings' strongest point yet Dhoni has made them deliver to potential each time and that too under severe pressure. Some of the captains in the IPL have let the situation get to them. It is apparent even on television. It is never easy to concentrate under pressure and the thought process can take a toss, but Dhoni seems to blessedly different. If it self-acquired then kudos to the icon from Jharkhand. If it was taught to him, I want to meet his mentor. Limited-overs cricket needs such an uncluttered mind. Thanks to Sachin for tipping Dhoni's name as captain for the T20 and ODI team. The way Dhoni handles the crowd is an education in itself. Very patient and always kind he is a fine example for youngsters to follow. What got lost in his flamboyance was his astute cricket brain. And his comments on Monday after the game on the shine on the ball were further proof of his cricketing acumen. In the heat of the battle the fielders did not keep the shine on the ball and any captain can lose out on that. Not Dhoni who had quickly brought that to his players' notice. The knocks he has played in the last two games were vastly different in nature, yet effective keeping in mind the team's interest. Chasing low totals can be tricky at times and against the Knight Riders he promoted himself to guide the team through. Against the Royal Challengers it was an entirely different ball game. Mind you it was not an easy track as some of the big hits may have seemed because they came off. Dhoni did not enjoy the best of starts and neither did he have the usually free flowing Mike Hussey in full flight at the other end. He took his chances and it paid off.

Source: http://in.sports.yahoo.com/cricket/ipl/columns/columns_20080430_9.html