Dear Mahi,
Where do I begin this? I will not proclaim to be your biggest fan, for it will be an injustice to millions who hold you dear, revere you and worship you.
I’m not going to lie. I’m a huge football fan. I always have been. I saw you for the first time on the billboards and ads with a long hair and in a blue sleeveless blue jersey, holding ICC World Cup Twenty20 trophy.
My induction into your fandom was in 2008.
Staying in Mumbai when I came to know that there was something called an IPL and a team from my birthplace called the Chennai Super Kings made it to the finals. I was elated. I lit a candle and diya and tried to summon all the gods, hoping for a win. I ended up experiencing my very first heartbreak. We lost at 1 run to Rajasthan Royals.
The night of the 2011 World Cup finals and the euphoria you put the country is something that gives me goosbumps even if I think of it now. In 2015, when we lost to Australia and they zoomed in on your teared up face, there was a lump in the throat of this hardcore football fan. You didn’t deserve it.
One of the most endearing sights during every CSK match in our flats is when we would all gather around the open amphitheatre and brave the blood sucking mosquitoes and wait for you to work your magic.
The kids would say “Dei.. Dhoni varuvaaru da”. Uncles would be fiddling with their fingers. Youngsters wouldn’t bat an eye-lid. Aunties would be praying for you like their son was playing. You captured the imagination of people across generations.
Sports always cheered and celebrated angry young men – Andre Agassi, Eric Cantona and our very own Virat Kohli. Their fiery attitude and antics during the game are TRP brownie points.
But, you came in with your calm gentle demeanour carrying the hopes of a billion that could have crushed anyone in seconds of not for your grounded attitude.
You were an UNO reverse card to the sports news which thrived upon outbursts, controversies and comparison.
I still can’t believe how it is humanely possible for someone to be a Zen on field and off-field. I have only heard of mythological characters that are an epitome of humility, but you are a living breathing example of the same. Hawk-eyes and a rock solid judgement that can make even the best refrees in the world take a step back. MSD not only you are a celebrated cricketer, but also an utopian, idealistic human being that we all can just dream of becoming. A dedicated father, an amicable leader, a fuss-free player and an inspiration to millions of youngsters. I could just stack a gazillion adjectives and it would fall short of describing what you are.
I remember after you tonsured your head after 2011 WC in Tirupati and stood with the trophy. Here is the person who pulled of a legendary moment in this country’s sporting history and goes silently like any of us and shaves off his hair as an offering at the God’s feet.
I can’t but hold back my tears while writing this.
All the best for your next innings Mahi, I’m sure you would ace this as well. Hoping to see you don the blues once again as Team India’s head coach and create a legion of not just great players but also incredible human beings like you.
Thank you Dhoni. Thank you for everything that you have given us.
Love,
Just another fangirl