|
London, August 7: Mahendra Singh Dhoni today
termed his elevation to Twenty-20 captaincy three years after
his India debut as a "fairy-tale" and said he would strive hard
to meet the challenges and expectations.
"To be honest, I never dreamt of playing for
India. I just played the game for the love of it. So just to
play for India was like a good fairy tale. And it still
continues," Dhoni said here.
"It's more special because I'm just three
years old in international cricket. Now, it's important to go
out and lead from the front. "It's a great honour and a
privilege to be leading the country and I'll strive hard to
measure up to the expectations of the people back home." The
26-year-old Ranchi-born player, who has caught the imagination
of the country with his big hitting and long locks, owed his
success to the best wishes of the people of his native state.
"Five years back, no one from Jharkhand would
even have imagined that someone from their state would be
privileged to don the India cap. So to have not only played for
India but also be given the honour of leading the country, I
think, is a historic day for Jharkhand," he said. "I hope it
will inspire young cricketers all over Jharkhand to dream big
and pursue them with a lot of determination and hard work."
Dhoni spoke about the challenges he would
face as a captain. "The challenge is to take right decision at
the right time. It's not just about the captain, it's about the
team, it's about collective responsibility," he said. "If the
players do well the team wins. Only once in 25 games, a captain
has to make a major decision, otherwise most of the decisions
are taken after consulting the players." Asked whether he was
surprised or was he expecting the honour, Dhoni said he had some
idea about it.
"A lot of it has been appearing in the media,
so it's no big surprise." Asked about his relative lack of
experience, Dhoni quipped, "it doesn't matter! I didn't have any
experience of playing international cricket but I still played.
There's always a first time." He then dwelt on the key aspect
for his team in South Africa. "India has just played one
Twenty20 game, so it's about the individuals putting their hands
up and doing the job expected of them.
"The conditions on South Africa will be
pretty difficult since we are going there at the start of the
season. We will have to adapt, and adapt quickly." Asked what he
had learnt from his Test captain, Rahul Dravid, Dhoni said,
"being cool and calm." A product of his own enthusiasm and
drive, Dhoni made his One-day International debut against
Bangladesh in December 2004.
Since then, he has taken rapid strides to
fame and fortune thanks mainly to his big hitting prowess that
gripped the nation immediately. That he has three one-day
hundreds and 13 half-centuries from his 76 one-day games at an
average of 46.97 with an amazing strike rate of 98.75 underlines
how quickly he has moved up the ladder of success.
"I just work hard like all others but now I
have a huge responsibility on my shoulders and I will give it my
best shot." With seniors like Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh,
Ajit Agarkar and Harbhajan Singh also named in the team, Dhoni
won't be short of some elderly advice. It is something he would
most heartily welcome.
"Even in the present side, Rahul (Dravid) has
senior pros like Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly who are
always around to provide some invaluable inputs. "It will be no
different for me with Yuvi, Viru, Ajit and Bhaji around. It's a
team game and anything for the good of the side should always be
welcome." (Agencies)
|
