"He is a man of courage who does not run away but remains at his post and fights against the enemy" – Socrates.
If seen from a bird's eye, Indian cricket would appear like one huge mound of filth with one scandal piling on top of the other and with everyone right from the president of the BCCI to theCaptain of the Indian cricket team being accused of "Conflict of interest". The focus, over the last month or so has shifted from the cricket field to the drawing rooms where deals worth millions are brokered and destinies of cricketers decided. In its angst, the media has seen fit to tear the reputation of many renowned personalities to shreds and has spared nobody. And in the eye of the storm is the man whom the entire country holds dear: M S Dhoni.
Had he been alive to witness Dhoni's iron will, Socrates would probably have doffed his cap off and likened the warrior in the Indian Captain to Homer's Achilles or Hector. The strength of character that he has displayed over the last fortnight or so even as calls for an inquiry into his financial dealings have erupted is really commendable.From humble beginnings to an overnight sensation, Dhoni's journey in cricket hasn't been without its fair share of trials and tribulations. If today, he is capable of shrugging off conflict of interestallegations aside and take everything in his stride, it is because of the hard years of struggle that have made him immeasurably wise. The last ten days in the ICC Champions Trophy are testament to the fact that to Dhoni, his job on the cricket field takes precedence over all else.Away from home though he is, rumours about his seemingly dubious dealings with a sports managemnt firm are bound to have reached him. These rumours that are flying around might be weighing heavily upon him but he has shown no outward signs of being troubled by them. As far as he is concerned, his foremost duty at the moment is to lead India to victory in the Champions Trophy and till that mission is accomplished, he may as well choose to remain oblivious to the events taking place off the field.Where lesser men would have trembled with fear and would have chosen to shun the limelight and remain in relative anonymity till the storm had blown over, Dhoni stood his ground and decidedto battle on. While the heroes that Homer glorified at least had the advantage of looking into their enemies in the eye across the battlefield, the enemy that Dhoni is fighting is an unseen one and it is more frightening than brandishing the sword blindfolded.India has won every single match since it has landed in England and credit, in no small part needs to be given to Dhoni who has led this young and mercurial Indian side admirably. India's spectacular showing in the league games has led to the team being pegged as the overwhelming favourite heading into the semi-final stage of the tournament. The praise on the Indian Captain for this achievement, however has been measured and rationed. But, true leaders are those who seek not praise but glory not only for themselves but for everyone they believe they represent.Statistically, Dhoni is the best captain India has ever had. Even if one were to set statistics apart, Dhoni would probably be counted amongst the best Captains that the country has ever seen. Theonly other Indian Captain managed to successfully wade the troubled waters and put Indian cricket back in the news for the right reasons in the aftermath of one of its darkest episodes was SauravGanguly.When he was appointed Test Captain in 2008, Dhoni had everything a Captain could ask for: Experience, young blood and budding talent. This team was blended together and built almost fromthe scrath by the "Prince of Kolkata". Taking over the reigns of Indian cricket, Ganguly decided that the time had come for the Indian cricket team to shed its 'Lambs abroad' tag and he worked almost religiously towards that end.
In Ganguly and Dhoni, there are two examples for budding cricketers in India. It is very easy to get swayed by the media attention and to let your heads turn but true greatness is achieved by he who keeps his feet firmly on the ground and holds his ground when confronted by an enemy.