A phenomenon called MSD

As a practice, it would be incorrect to start with an abbreviation. But in an absolutely cricket crazy country like

India where the sport is followed by millions like a religion one can very well afford the liberty to do that and still 

manage to get the point across to the reader.

Ever since his international debut in 2004 as a long haired wicket keeper who could also bat, MSD has come a long way to be the captain of the Indian cricket team in all forms of the game for the last few years. In monetary terms too, he is the richest cricketer as of date by a wide margin and also figures among the richest sportsmen in the world which actually speaks volumes about his personality and journey so far considering that he comes from a small town with a very humble beginning.

So not really surprising that a lot has been written about MSD in recent years about his ability as a cricketer, his fame and fortune. But exactly what is it that has made MSD what he is today? If you look at the history of cricket, there have been several cricketers with exceptional cricketing abilities but none have made such a mark within such a short span of time with all due respect to all other great cricketers India or for that matter the world has produced.

Indian fans have also accorded the status of God to a living legend of the game, a feat yet to be achieved by MSD, but despite this there is something special and unique which MSD has and that separates him from the rest in the cricketing world.

As far as batting skills are concerned MSD is average, in fact from a technical point of view there are many batsmen who would be rated several times better than him. MSD’s batting style is completely unorthodox characterised by non-cricketing shots and tremendous power which is his biggest strength making bowling to him a very difficult affair for bowlers around the world. For any bowler it would be much easier to bowl to a technically sound player in the sense that the batsman’s response can be gauged to some extent. But while bowling to an unorthodox batsman the bowler is clueless which makes a player like MSD unique.

MSD’s cricketing sense and ability to read the situation at any stage of the game is above all which is clearly evident from the way he marshal’s his resources in every match depending upon the situation. Is an exemplary captain who leads from the front many a times willing to put himself in the thick of action and steering his side to victory which has earned him the reputation of being the world’s “best finisher”.

But above all the biggest quality which has ultimately made MSD who he is today, is his ability to stay calm and collected and be in control of his nerves in tense moments. Cricket as it is played today is as much a game of nervous energy as it is of pure cricketing skills and MSD is simply the best in the world when it comes to holding on to his nerves in the most demanding situations. And this is the most important characteristic feature which separates him from the rest in the cricketing world and which has also earned him the reputation of being called “captain cool”.

The obvious question then is, where do you get this quality from? The ability to remain completely calm and 

collected in tense situations, when everyone else around you just can’t handle the pressure. Do they teach you 

in school or university? Can you buy it? No not at all. This quality is simply in born so either you have it by birth

or you don’t!! And for that matter MSD owes it to his genes and ultimately the almighty!!