Mahi…Mahi…Mahi!
With the cheerful roar breaching the 120 DB mark (yes, Disney Star has made arrangements to measure that as well. How impressive use of data and technology!) and creating deafening conditions in the stadium, there takes entry a legendary batter, a top-notch wicketkeeper, a DRS specialist, an exemplary team leader, and last but certainly not the least, a gem of a human in the stadium.
The seminal question arises here: what exactly creates this larger-than-life personality? What makes the world fall for a sports mogul even when he/she has nothing much to return, except some best-quality play, an affectionate gesture, a lively smile, and a few kind words?
In the case of Mahi, is it his impeccable batting skills, or his making the country lifting the ICC T20 trophy in 2007, or hitting a six and giving 1.25 bn people of India (then) the biggest Cricketing reason to rejoice by championing the ICC World Cup in 2011 after 27 long years, or the same in 2013’s Mini World Cup, better known as the Champions Trophy? Or on a domestic front, is it his impressive ability to make CSK lift the IPL trophy a record 5 times?
Scenes like these are witnessed once in a decade when fans break their hearts and bear a catastrophic blow to their emotions, seeing a player teary-eyed after getting run out and losing a crucial World Cup match.
Besides this, hardly has this ever happened before when the fans, 30,40,50K+ in numbers collectively wishing deep down their hearts, and crossing their fingers for a batter from their own team to get out (irrespective of how tense situation the match is in) so that their ‘Cricket Lord’ could come on the crease. The reason for the above is quite obvious - MSD has declared that this is going be his last dance at the IPL. A phenomenal legacy that began in the early 2000s has already come to an international halt in 2020, and now in 2024, the ball that started rolling long back then will finally come to a complete halt i.e. in the domestic cricket as well.
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| Credit: iplt20.com |
No one would deny the fact that there have been players who have shown impeccable mettle in terms of batting and bowling figures. For MSD, when it comes to the number of runs, strike rate, number of centuries/half, catches, stumping etc – the figures aren’t the highest in the world, but certainly yes, one of the highest. Hence, one could object to why such a die-heart fanbase for him if he is not the best in terms of cricketing figures? And then comes the answer which teaches us all an important life lesson.
It’s not always technical, occupational, or professional parameters that define you, but your character, and who you as a person are. The former definitely works as a prerequisite and takes you to wonderful places, but only the latter will take you to the apex.
MSD has been well-known across the world for always being kind to his fans. Moreover, he has proudly donned the cap for one of the calmest and the most composed sports personalities. He hardly indulges in sledging or provokes players from the opposite teams, and mostly keeps his temper in check. Also, he is a man with a decently tempting personality and not a flashy one. Another reason is his top-class fitness that's proved when he outperformed the players of half his age in various sports tests including Yo-Yo. Fans also garner sheer respect for him due to his positive image as an exemplary family man. He takes good care of his family – daughter and wife who mostly remain in the stadium zealously cheering their man.
Years will turn into decades, but the legacy that MSD has left will never get old or will be taken by anyone else.
To MSD’s good health and all happiness in the impending future.