VVS Laxman, the former India batsman and teammate of MS Dhoni, credited the wicket-keeper due to him being unconcerned about results. MS Dhoni retired after creating an enviable legacy becoming the only captain in the world to win all ICC events including T20I and ODI World Cup.
MS Dhoni played 350 ODIs, 90 Tests and 98 T20Is besides leading India to several victories and was expected to play at least the T20 World Cup which got deferred due to covid-19.
He stunned well-wishers and fans by quitting international cricket with an Instagram post that read- “Thanks a lot for your love and support throughout…from 1929 pm consider me as retired” sending shock and heartbreak to millions of fans worldwide as the song ‘main pal do pal ka shayar’ was playing in the background.
His retirement shocked his fans and they were further disappointed when 33-year-old CSK teammate Suresh Raina also announced his retirement minutes after MS Dhoni’s decision.
VVS Laxman Says MS Dhoni Inspired Millions Due To His Conduct
VVS Laxman congratulated the 39-year-old for his stellar performances besides inspiring millions of Indians and conducting himself in a calm demeanour.
The former skipper and wicket-keeper has set an example for future generations with his appropriate conduct and huge contribution towards cricket. The world has taken notice and the helicopter shot will definitely be missed in international cricket.
“… I always felt that captaining the Indian team is probably the toughest challenge for anyone, you know, because there’s so much of expectations from everyone around the world. But MS Dhoni has always been emotionally detached from the results,” Laxman said on Star Sports’ Cricket Connected show.
“The way he has inspired millions of Indians, not only the sports fans, but millions of Indians on how to conduct and how to become an ambassador of your country, how to carry yourself in the public domain. And that’s why he’s so respected,” he added.
MS Dhoni had led India to T20I World Cup and ODI World Cup wins besides winning the Asia Cup twice and Champions Trophy once. An era has ended with childhood heroes with the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman, Virender Sehwag, Zaheer Khan, Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid, Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni retiring. Interestingly VVS Laxman has never played in any World Cup and was labelled a Test specialist.
According to VVS Laxman, MS Dhoni is revered by fans because of his exemplary conduct both on and off the field where he not only performed well but respected his seniors besides taking strict actions when need arise.
“Love comes from the cricketing fans for your cricketing achievements, but respect comes by the way you have conducted yourself, by the way you carried yourself,” he said.
It is to note that his CSK teammate Suresh Raina has also retired but both MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina will feature in CSK-Chennai Super Kings squad and will play in the upcoming IPL 2020 to be held in UAE.
VVS Laxman Says MS Dhoni Has Contributed To World Cricket
All the cricketers and well-wishers sent him congratulatory tweets and VVS Laxman added that his contribution was not only for Indian cricket but world cricket.
“When you see the social media posts, it’s not only from the former players or the cricketing fans, it’s from all the Indians, whether you take film stars, socialites, esteemed businessmen, politicians,” he maintained.
“Around the world, all the former cricketers, all the cricketing fraternity have thanked MS Dhoni for his contribution not to Indian cricket, but world cricket,” Laxman added.
All the cricket fraternity have thanked MS Dhoni for his contribution towards cricket and other popular personalities have wished him too for his immense contribution to world cricket. Several former cricketers like Shoaib Akhtar, Wasim Akram, Shane Warne, Sourav Ganguly, Brett Lee, Sachin Tendulkar have credited him for his success.