Former India cricketer Vivek Razdan has revealed an interesting incident about MS Dhoni when the wicket-keeper volunteered to open the innings for his team in a club match. Dhoni showed great courage to open the innings on a challenging wicket.
Speaking on Sportskeeda’s show SK Tales, Vivek Razdan narrated an incident from 2003-04, before MS Dhoni made his India debut. Dhoni turned up for his club, in between Duleep Trophy matches. Razdan was the skipper of the club team in a local tournament in Bareilly.
“He (Dhoni) was playing the Duleep Trophy at that time. But there was a gap between matches and he came to play our semi-final. I was the captain in that match and decided to bowl after winning the toss because the pitch looked a bit patchy. We were not sure how it would behave,” said Vivek Razdan.
Former India cricketer Ajay Jadeja was part of Razdan’s team, while the opposition also boasted of Ranji Trophy players. After the first few overs, Vivek Razdan’s got an idea about the wicket, which was staying low, with balls bouncing awkwardly. He said,
“In the first few overs, we understood the nature of the pitch. Some balls were bouncing awkwardly, a few were staying low. Somehow, the opposition managed to score 150-155 in 40 overs.”
With no dressing rooms available back then for club games, both teams were sitting in tents. The tents were so close, that the opposition team could hear what the plans of the other team were. Vivek Razdan recalls wanting a senior player to open the innings, as the surface was tricky to bat on. However, Dhoni who was sitting in the tent, expressed that he wants to open the innings.
“MS Dhoni was also sitting there. Suddenly, he stood up and said, ‘I want to open. Can I go?’. There was so much confidence in his tone that I straightaway agreed to his request. Some people are scared of challenges while some others turn them into opportunities,” said Vivek Razdan.
MS Dhoni smashed the bowlers all over the park on a tough wicket: Vivek Razdan
The young wicket-keeper batter, MS Dhoni smashed the bowlers all around the park in the club match. He turned the momentum of the game in his team’s favour within the first 15-17 overs, recalls Vivek Razdan. He said,
“So Dhoni went to open. Our plan was to bat safely and keep wickets in hand in the first 15-17 overs. He turned the tide of the match in those number of overs. Added 120 runs for the opening wicket with Jadeja and Dhoni contributed at least 93 of those. He smashed the bowlers all over the park on such a pitch.”
“All those watching were stunned thinking – ‘who is this guy?’. 18 years have passed since the incident and Dhoni still carries expectations of the nation on his shoulders.”
Mahendra Singh Dhoni is currently leading the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League 2022 season.
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