Dhoni- The Art of Living

You realize how bright a source of light is when it is placed in darkness.
You realize how calm someone is when it is placed in chaos.

At the fag end of Indian innings at Pallekele, India needed 8 runs to win the series 3-0 against SL. But the restlessness and anger among Sri Lankan fans crossed the lines. The disgusting act of flinging bottles on the field caused the play to stop. While the security team was furiously handling the crowd, and while the on-field cricketers looked around in anxiety and wonder, the camera found MS Dhoni lying flat- face down- almost like taking a little nap amidst all this.

He looked like an ocean of calmness as the chaos engulfed all around. Second time in the series, he had rescued his team from crisis in consecutive games. The other day when Dananjaya ran through thr batting order, Dhoni found a partner in Bhuvaneshwar Kumar- whom he kept on giving the calmness pills to take India to an unlikely win. And then here at Pallekele, when he happily played the second fiddle to Rohit Sharma as India stumbled to 61/4 chasing a modest 217.

What these zen-like innings will do is to silence the criticism from all corners about Dhoni's waning form. Before this ODI series, MSK Prasad hinted at a slight warning for MSD that raised concerns about his chances at the 2019 World Cup. Not that Dhoni had anything to prove, but the fitter looking captain cool reminded all of what he brings to the table.

MSD takes calmness to the next level at Palekelle

With a young team being built for the 2019 WC where Rahul, Pandey, Jadhav and Pandya among others will be playing their first World Cup, it is essential that Dhoni is stays as the experienced campaigner for all those DRS reviews, those sharp stumpings and run-outs, for these innings of poise- a skill that is missing in the restless modern day talented batters.

And finally, a roundup of life lessons from Dhoni I have observed for some time

Life lessons from Dhoni's career:

1. Even if you start slow, everything isn't lost.

The way he builds up his innings and pushes the accelerator in the later half.

2. Accept success without arrogance and failure without dejection

Its' hard to spot ecstasy or anguish on MSD's face in different situations. His calm manner of celebration tells a lot about his ability to not let success go to his head and failure go to his heart.

.3. The place where you come from, doesn't stop you from achieving.

Jharkhand isnt known for producing international cricketers. It however did produce MSD-someone who never considered his place of origin as a disadvantage.

4. Keep your head when all about you are losing theirs.

Those saint like innings when all around him lose wickets like pigeons among cat

5. Finish things in style, with a stamp of authority.

The finishing sixes that wrap up the chase in style. Most memorable? 2nd April, 2011 Wankhede.

6. Trust yourself when no one else does.

7. Have self-esteem. Live a hero, die a hero.