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| Seniors are great role models for my generation: Dhoni | | | Kanpur | Apr 14
Basking in glory after achieving an emphatic victory in his maiden Test as captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni sought to play down the much-talked-about ‘seniors-juniors’ tussule in the Indian Test team.
Acknowledging the contribution of the senior pros in the team, India’s ODI captain paid rich tributes to them saying that he admired them and had learnt a lot from them. He also called them ‘great role models for his generation’.
"In my four years of international cricket, I have not only admired these cricketers, but I`ve tried to learn and pick up a few things from everyone. I`ve been impressed by Sachin Tendulkar`s focus and devotion, Rahul Dravid`s discipline, Anil Kumble`s determination, Sourav Ganguly`s never-say-die attitude and Virender Sehwag`s audacity," he said. Asked about the talk of success going to his head, the man who became India`s first-ever wicket-keeper captain in Tests said, "I think I am a fairly level-haded guy. My team knows it and all the seniors know that I have a lot of respect for them”.
He also rubbished claims of tensions and divisions within Team India. “The team is strongly united. The players love and respect each other. There`s great cameraderie within the group. That`s what matters to me," he said.
He said that the Indian team was like one big family. "When I started playing for India we had great role models in the team like Sachin Tendulkar, Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman and Virender Sehwag. Each one of them is a legend of the game and brings in a different flavour to the team. I`ve always respected and appreciated what every senior in the side has achieved because I know the kind of hard work and sacrifice that is needed to be successful at this level," he said.
In a referrence to BCCI president Sharad Pawar’s disclosure that that it was Sachin Tendulkar who had recommended him for the top job, Dhoni said that it was a previlege for him to be chosen by his childhood hero. "Sachin Tendulkar is my childhood hero. I watched cricket only because of him and started playing the game because of him. I take it as a privilege that he found me worthy enough for the job." Referring to his lack of emotion on field, Dhoni said he had to keep his calm because while walking up to a bowler to boost his morale, you cannot afford to look worried. Of course, deep down you may be worried. On his captaincy thus far, Dhoni admitted that he always backs his instincts. “I always back my instincts. When the Indian captaincy was given tome, I took it as a challenge and a privilege," he said, before going back to join his team mates. |
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