KL Rahul: MS Dhoni was a small-town hero
India batsman KL Rahul says that MS Dhoni serves as an inspiration to the millions in their country who come from small towns and villages.
According to the 2011 Census of India, more than 833 million Indians live in rural areas, but cricket has traditionally been dominated by players hailing from the countries urban centres.
Dhoni was a small-town hero
Rahul says that Dhoni showed people from small towns and villages that they too could represent India in the nation’s favourite sport.
While everyone knew that Dhoni’s international career was on its last legs, Rahul said that his retirement was an emotional moment for all of India.
“It was quite an emotional moment for the whole country and for world cricket. We have all grown up wanting to be MS Dhoni. Especially for someone like me who comes from a small town, he was our hero. We always told our families ‘look it doesn’t matter where you come from, you can always go and try and achieve your dreams’,” Rahul said in a video released by the Indian Premier League.
The Kings XI Punjab skipper can now only look forward to facing Dhoni as an IPL opponent, and he joked that he would be asking the Chennai Super Kings stalwart to go easy on his team when they next meet.
“I am sure I won’t have enough words to tell him. I will just give him a long hug and say thank you and probably ask him to go easy on Kings XI this time,” Rahul added.
CSK vs Mumbai Indians to open IPL
Dhoni will be chasing his 100th win as CSK skipper when the IPL 13 gets underway in the UAE on 19 September with his side set to kick-off the tournament against the defending Champion Mumbai Indians.
IPL Chairman Brijesh Patel said the full schedule for the tournament would be released by Sunday 30 August.
“We know it is getting delayed but teams are taking stock of everything including recce of the venues. Stay assured schedules will be released before the end of this week”, Patel said in quotes carried by Inside Sport.
Latest
-
News
Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa to have all-female match officials
Three match referees and 10 umpires will form the 13-strong team.
-
England
5 talking points as England turn attention to ODI format in a World Cup year
England have travelled to South Africa for three one-day internationals.
-
England
England captain Jos Buttler backs Jason Roy as the opener bids to find his form
Roy will open the innings alongside Dawid Malan as part of a new-look top-order in Friday’s first ODI against South Africa.
-
England
Jofra Archer set to make long-awaited England comeback against South Africa
There were minor alarms when the fast bowler was not seen at Bloemfontein’s Mangaung Oval on Thursday.
-
Women's Cricket
It’s the right time – England bowler Katherine Brunt retires from county cricket
The 37-year-old will play in this summer’s Hundred but will not feature for the Northern Diamonds or Yorkshire.
-
England
England stars Ben Stokes and Nat Sciver win ICC cricketer of the year awards
Sciver finished the World Cup as the tournament’s third-highest scorer as England reached the final
-
South Africa
Temba Bavuma: Bazball a stupid term but SA could take some ideas from England
South Africa’s limited-overs captain has encouraged his side to adopt some of England’s attacking principles.
-
Australia
On This Day in 2008: Australia wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist retires
Gilchrist was one of the most exciting cricketers of the modern game.
-
England
Jofra Archer ready to do the ‘hard yards’ for Ashes and World Cup challenges
The 27-year-old has seen his career railroaded by elbow and back injuries.
-
South Africa
South Africa all-rounder Marco Jansen scoops ICC award after standout year
The 6ft 10in left-armer is in the Proteas squad that takes on England in three ODIs in the space of six days, starting on Friday.