Across The Line, Into The Stands

The irresistible dominance of the ‘dad’s army’ has lit up the IPL.

- Qaiser Mohammad Ali

IN March 2016, when he was just three months shy of turning 35 but still India’s ODI and T20 captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni had answered a retirement­related question by having “some fun” with an Aussie journalist who had popped the question. India had just lost to the West Indies in the semi­finals of the ICC World Twenty20 in Mumbai and speculation was rife that MSD, having retired from Test cricket, might call it quits from shorter versions as well. 

A smiling Dhoni called the journalist on to the podium, sat him down beside him. Then, putting an arm around the journalist, he engaged him in a pretty long chat, asking him questions about his own future as an India player. The most strategic question he posed was: “Do you think I can survive till the 2019 World Cup?” In this, there was a clear, double-barrelled message, to the selectors as well as the media, which could have loosely been: “I am the master of my decision. I am focussed on playing the 2019 50-over World Cup and, now, no one should ask me this question again.”

Today, he is less than two months shy of turning 37, but his prowess with the bat hasn’t diminished one bit— proving that his perceived loss of form in the recent past was, after all, just that. As Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain, he is leading by example in the ongoing IPL, hitting big sixes, playing brisk knocks, and winning/finishing matches with consummate ease. Dhoni and other 30- plus men playing in the IPL completely negate the belief that T20 cricket is all about youngsters, with their youthful, strong, tattooed arms and agile legs. Most of these veterans can still beat any youngster with their fielding as well, like Dhoni has shown with his lightning-quick wicket-keeping.