Over the years of my following cricket, particularly after 2004, it has intrigued me to unimaginable lengths what goes in the mind of Mahendra Singh Dhoni when he takes charge on the cricket field - as a captain, batter, wicket-keeper, mentor and various other roles that he plays so effortlessly. His unconventional approach and unique perspectives towards the game have fascinated me and left me seeking arduous answers. This is where The Dhoni Touch: Unravelling the Enigma That Is Mahendra Singh Dhoni by Bharat Sundaresan shines.
It is not just another Dhoni biography, as I thought it to be when I came across the book. Bharat Sundaresan consciously tries to steer away from that path and gives readers a peek into how the man thinks and the reason behind him becoming a pan-Indian phenomenon. The “Dhoni traits”, as I call them, are intelligently extracted from various reliable sources and find constant mentions throughout the book. This is not the story of where he’s come from or where he’s reached. It’s about how he got there”, Bharat very subtly lays the foundation of the book.
The narrative is beautifully woven with rich conversations from Dhoni’s close aides. Each of the ten chapters feature a Dhoni confidante sharing stories and experiences about Dhoni from his decade and a half long journey. Some you might know and some will come as a surprise. There are obvious references to Dhoni’s childhood friends Seemant Lohani (Chittu) and Chottu bhaiyya and childhood coach Keshav Banerjee.
Despite being depicted at length in the Dhoni biopic, Bharat succeeds in extracting additional stories from them including the traits and skills which define Dhoni. "He doesn't believe in leaving anyone behind. He might have become the biggest celebrity in the country right now. But he believes in taking everybody forward." Chittu says highlighting one of many Dhoni traits. Many others like Umakanta Jena, MECON stadium curator and Manoj Bhaiyya, Security head at JSCA, have stories about their Ranchi superstar which bring a flair of authenticity to the narrative.
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The highlight of the book for me was conversations with Dhoni’s army friend - Colonel Vembu Shankar. They reveal a different side of the former Indian captain and unearth many layers about him, especially his reverence for the armed forces. Dhoni’s CSK journey - one that continues to elevate him as a cricket icon has enthralling stories for the readers, narrated through former cricketer and CSK selector V.B. Chandrashekhar. These conversations are aimed at bringing out Dhoni’s thought process and personality and are in equal parts inspiring and fascinating.
Final Thoughts
The book fairly succeeds in making me a part of the cricketer’s journey. The underlying concept of the book and unheard anecdotes about his leadership skills kept me hooked for most part. The writing is fluid with a dash of humor and personalization by the author. Be it Dhoni’s relationship with media and journalists, or his unorthodox wicket-keeping skills - Bharat makes sure to encapsulate all domains of Dhoni’s life with subtle finesse and will be relatable to most readers.
My only discontent with the book is that it steers on the borderline and does not delve into details. I wish the storytelling had a little more depth. You will get to know a little more about Dhoni but will be left wanting more. And perhaps that is what makes Dhoni an enigma. There is always more to be known about him. If you are a Dhoni fan, it's a must read. But even if you aren't, it will leave you inspired and motivated to be your own self and do things your way, however unconventional they are.
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