That was evident in the match against Sri Lanka on Tuesday in Adelaide when the captain tangoed with the tail as he cut out risks to score an uncharacteristic boundary-less 50. In fact, the hard-hitter, who has got most of his runs batting high up the order, has demoted himself in the line-up to ensure the youngsters are deliberately slotted ahead so that they get to spend more time in the middle. “They are doing a good job and have played a couple of beautiful innings,” he says of Gautam Gambhir and Rohit Sharma, who had been among the runs in the ongoing CB Series.
“It’s important to let the newcomers bat up the order so that they get to spend longer time in the middle. “We also have to make sure they’re not dropped from the side as these are the guys for the future. Once they cement their places and gain the confidence, they can be shuffled in the batting order,” he says explaining his selfless approach. “They are on a learning curve, it’s now a matter of being consistent at the international level,” he observes.
Being captain, the modest Mahi seems comfortable with the consistent load being dumped on his shoulders. “It’s a privilege to bat under pressure. That’s the time when you can really become a hero,” is his stunning reply. “You need a bit of experience in the middle order where I can push myself,” Dhoni says in defence of the youngsters who can be exposed to severe pressure should the blue chip players get out to a occasional rash shot. In doing so, he plays the role of mother hen so protective of her chicks.
Sometimes, the protection is extended to the grown-ups too as in the case of Yuvraj Singh, whom Dhoni backed to the hilt when the vice-captain was looking out of sorts for most part of the tour. His persistence helped the left-handed batsman snatch his old form and regain balance in the side. Dhoni surely is the man of the moment.
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