I would play against Pakistan even if my one leg is not there: Dhoni

Agencies
August 29, 2017

Chennai, Aug 29: MS Dhoni was almost ruled out for a crunch India-Pakistan match in the Asia Cup last year after he suffered an injury but the then captain's determination saw him not only turning up for the game but also winning it, according to national chief Selector MSK Prasad.

Revealing this at a function, the Chairman of the cricket board's selection committee said though he had even kept ready a replacement, Dhoni told him not to worry and that he would play against Pakistan even "if my one leg is not there."

Prasad, speaking at the Tamil Nadu Sports Journalists Association (TNSJA) annual awards function on Sunday night, recalled the incident that happened during the Asia Cup in Dhaka in Bangladesh in February, 2016 to highlight the determination and dedication of Dhoni to cricket.

He said Dhoni had picked up an injury during training two days ahead of the tie but he went on to lead India to a win, adding, "this is what Dhoni is made of."

Narrating the incident, he said, "While training at the gym late in the night, Dhoni picked up weights and suddenly there was a catch in his back and he fell with the weight.

"Thankfully, the weight did not fall on him. He could not walk, he was literally crawling. He was taken on stretcher."

Prasad said he was not sure how to deal with the situation. "So, I went to Dhoni's room to know what the issue was. He said, 'don't worry MSK bhai'. I even asked him what should I tell the scribes, and the answer again was 'don't worry MSK bhai,' the Chief Selector said.

Prasad also said he didn't want to take chances and summoned Parthiv Patel as a replacement.

But, Dhoni's resolve came to the fore and he was ready for the crunch game against the neighbours.

"Before the team was announced in the afternoon, Dhoni was dressed up for the game. He called me to his room and asked me why was I worrying so much? Then he said, even if my one leg is not there, I will still play against Pakistan," Prasad said.

He also had a piece of advice for youngsters with regard to lack of facilities.

"Dhoni comes from an area, where there is no facility. Even T Natarajan didn't get recognition before. So, there will be no facility, it is your inner power that will take you to the next level."

On the occasion, India's first chess International Master Mauel Aaron and 1975 hockey Word cup winner V J Philips were honoured with Lifetime Achievement awards at the Arise Steel-TNSJA awards function.

"I can proudly say that TNSJA is the only organisation to have properly recognised me for my achievement, that too, after 42 years," said Philips in his acceptance speech.

India cricketer Dinesh Karthik and athlete G Lakshmanan were named the 'Players of the Year'.

"This is a big motivation. I believe I'm a hard worker. I still have to improve a lot. My aim is to compete in the Olympics," said Lakshmanan.

The Lifetime Achievement award for Journalists was awarded, posthumously to Nirmal Shekar, former sports editor of 'The Hindu', and to R Mohan, resident editor of 'Deccan Chronicle'.

S Loganathan, who coached Lakshmanan to the 5000m gold in the Asian athletic championships in July, was named 'Coach of the Year'. The Tamil Nadu limited overs cricket team which won the Vijay Hazare trophy was the 'Team of the Year'.

S Nandakumar (football) and S Selena Deepthi (table tennis) were named 'Young Achievers'.

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News Network
March 29,2020

New Delhi, Mar 29: Former Indian batsman Wasim Jaffer on Sunday picked his all-time IPL team and appointed wicket-keeper batsman MS Dhoni as its captain.

Jaffer's team's feature opener Rohit Sharma, current Indian skipper Virat Kohli, all-rounder Hardik Pandya, spinner R Ashwin, and pacer Jasprit Bumrah as seven domestic players.
While the foreign players spot have been occupied by West Indies' swashbuckling batsman Chris Gayle, all-rounder Andre Russell, Afghanistan's spinner Rashid Khan, and Sri Lanka's veteran pacer Lasith Malinga.
Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been picked as 12th man by Jaffer.

Earlier this month, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decided to postpone the IPL to April 15, 2020, as a precautionary measure against COVID-19 outbreak.
The board also assured that it will work in unison with the Sports Ministry and will adhere to the guidelines issued.

The 13th edition of IPL was scheduled to commence from March 29. 

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News Network
February 14,2020

Hamilton, Feb 14: Batting first, India finished at 263 for nine on the opening day of the three-day warm-up game against New Zealand XI here on Friday.

Hanuma Vihari made 101 off 182 balls before retiring, while Cheteshwar Pujara scored 93.

Besides, Ajinkya Rahane (18) was the only other Indian batsmen to register double digit score.

The likes of Prithvi Shaw (0), Mayank Agarwal (1) and Shubman Gill (0) failed to cash in on the opportunity.

Scott Kuggeleijn (3/40) and Ish Sodhi (3/72) shared six wickets between them for New Zealand.

Brief Scores:

India: 263 for 9 in 78.5 overs (Hanuma Vihari 101, Cheteshwar Pujara 93; Scott Kuggeleijn 3/40, Ish Sodhi 3/72).

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News Network
March 2,2020

Christchurch, Mar 2: India captain Virat Kohli on Monday said the under-fire Rishabh Pant has got a "lot of chances" but the team is not looking to try someone else in the youngster's place just yet as one player can't be singled out in a collective failure.

Pant has been under the scanner for the past one year because of his inconsistent run. His tally of 60 runs across four innings in the 0-2 Test series loss to New Zealand, which concluded here on Monday, has only amplified the debate whether it was prudent to leave out a keeper of Wriddhiman Saha's calibre and back Pant.

"...we have given him (Pant) a lot of chances in the home season as well starting from Australia. Then he was not playing for a bit. In turn he really worked hard on himself," Kohli came to Pant's defence after the series here.

"You need to figure out when is the right time to give someone else a chance. If you push people too early, they can lose confidence," he added.

"...collectively, we didn't perform. I don't believe in singling him out. We take the hit together as a group whether it's the batting group or as a team."

When asked if he believes Pant has taken his place in the side for granted, Kohli made it clear that the culture of this team doesn't encourage anyone to think along those lines.

"I don't see anyone taking his place for granted in this team. That's the culture we have set. People are told to take responsibilities and work hard. Whether it happens or not is a different thing. Then you can have a conversation with the players," he said.

"But no one has come here thinking I am going to play every game or I am indispensable," he added in no uncertain terms.

Kohli, just like head coach Ravi Shastri, made it clear that Pant can make a difference in overseas conditions and he won't like to deviate during future tours.

"The time that he didn't play, he really worked hard on his game. So we thought this is the right time because of his game and the way he plays because he can make a difference lower down the order.

"That was our planning behind it. We can't really fluctuate when it comes to what we planned," he added.

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