4 Lessons From The GOAT MS Dhoni Who Turns 42 Today MS Dhoni turns 42 today and is by far one of the most influential sports persons and captains in the history of Cricket. There is a lot to learn from this former Indian Captain and we have compiled a short list of these lessons from the GOAT MS Dhoni.
By Kavya Pillai
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MS Dhoni turns 42 today and is by far one of the most influential sports persons and captains in the history of Cricket. On his birthday he is being enthusiastically celebrated by his fans nationwide. To mark the special day fans took to social media to share captivating images, showcasing colossal of Dhoni's journey and cricket highlights. He has been a role model for many in sports, professionalism, personality, leadership and more. His journey is nothing short of inspiring as he hailed from a middle-class family and worked his way to the top. In a country like India where middle-class households take up the majority of the population stories like Dhoni's touch home. There is a lot to learn from this former Indian Captain and we have compiled a short list of these lessons from the GOAT MS Dhoni.
Always be a student and be the right kind of master
To be at the top of your game you need to evolve consistently and Dhoni throughout his career has demonstrated the importance of the same. At the start of his career, he was an aggressive batsman and as he progressed in his game he moulded himself into a batsman that can hold innings in the middle and finish the game in the end. Similarly, at the beginning of his career, Dhoni was not known for his wicket-keeping skills. He was consistent in working hard on himself behind the wickets and is now considered one of the greatest wicketkeepers.
Be a Captain Cool
In life, one will face several tough situations in their personal and professional life that are unavoidable. During these moments the way you conduct yourself is crucial. Dhoni is a prime example of this when he displayed his skills of keeping calm under pressure, especially during the 2011 Cricket World Cup Final. He was carrying the dreams of a billion on his shoulder and not once did he lash out on his team and lose his composure. Even when things are uncertain, this captain has had the approach of "one ball at a time" and led his team to the end game. Staying calm during tense situations is a trademark lesson from Dhoni.
Lead and not be lead
Coming back to the 2011 World Cup, Dhoni was not considered to be in good form with his bat but this illusion was shattered during his performance in the final. India was playing against Sri Lanka and in the second innings, Dhoni promoted himself up the order before Yuvraj Singh who was considered to be in form. His reason was that he could play better against spinner Muralitharan and could hold the innings to the end. Dhoni did not once allow the opponent bowlers to out him and finished this iconic match in style. A key takeaway here is to take the challenge head-on. A leader should not shy away from tough situations and take the responsibilities that come with the role. Dhoni has led the team from the front and set a good example for the other players.
Take that Risk
In order to achieve anything in life we should follow our instincts and dare to take risks. In the 2007 T20 World Cup final, during the last over, experienced bowler Harbhajan Singh had one spin left but Dhoni put Joginder Sharma who was not as experienced on the field that day. A bold risk for which he was rewarded as Sharma performed exceedingly well. You are a leader for a reason, it is because you have good judgment and can make power moves that lead your team to success. There will be many advisors but the final call should be yours. If you believe this risk will pay off then go for it and your team will thank you.
Of all the lessons that Dhoni has taught us one of the best by far is never letting fame and success get to his head. We may reach some great heights in our career and it is easy to get carried away but here is the mark of a good leader. One who remembers the struggle and hurdles they had to face to get where they are and remains grounded. This is the only way you will be able to connect with people better and introduce yourself to new talent.