In cricket, where achievements are often measured by runs scored or matches won, there exists a story that speaks volumes about the character of one of its most celebrated figures, Mahendra Singh Dhoni. This isn’t a tale of cricketing prowess but of a gesture so profound, it touched the hearts of many beyond the boundaries of the sport.
A journalist, whose name has become synonymous with this story, shared an anecdote that encapsulates the essence of Dhoni’s personality. During the launch of a book, an event that might seem mundane to many, something extraordinary unfolded. The journalist, in his narrative, detailed how he had managed to convince Dhoni to attend the launch, not for the sake of cricket but for a personal favor. This favor was rooted in an emotional plea, leveraging the bond of respect and admiration that Dhoni commands.
The day of the book launch was not just another event; it was a day where Dhoni’s humility was on full display. The journalist, accompanied by his father, awaited Dhoni’s arrival with a mix of anticipation and nervousness. What happened next was not just witnessed but felt deeply by those present. Dhoni, upon arriving, did something that many might find hard to believe from a figure of his stature. He touched the journalist’s father’s feet, a traditional Indian gesture of respect, typically reserved for elders or revered figures.
“There was a Test match in Hyderabad, and I went there specially and booked a room in Taj Hotel at my own expense. It was a Saturday, and I was sitting out looking for Dhoni at 7 in the morning. Dhoni and Duncan Fletcher were siting. He spotted me, and I joked to him about paying my hotel bills as I could not afford it. He said that he would confirm after the Test match.
“Dhoni called me after the match as I went running. Dhoni was sitting on the front seat, and Virat was behind him. I asked for his confirmation for the launch, and said that I would be booking my father’s train ticket to Delhi only after his confirmation. I told him that my father has no idea about cricket and just recognises you and Tendulkar. He has said that he will come only if you are there. Virat was carefully listening and wondering what the discussion was about. Dhoni said. ‘Now you are playing the emotional card?!’ I told that this was the only card left. He agreed to come,” Kumar added.
Sachin and Dhoni came out together from the car, and I was so much in awe of Sachin that I forgot that Dhoni was also there. I apologised to him, and Dhoni played it down by saying, ‘I can understand’. It was the coolest moment, he was so calm! He made it so light. All three of us ended up laughing,” the senior journalist said.
‘He touched my father’s feet, media was shocked’
Vimal Kumar beautifully said the best part of the story, where Dhoni touched his father’s feet before receiving the book
“I called my father to present the book to Dhoni, and Dhoni before taking the book, touched the feat of my father. The media was shocked. He interacted with my family for 40 minutes and talked in the regional accent and language. My family is so simple and naive that they thought Dhoni was my very close friend. He made them feel in a short duration that we share a great bond, and he is my close friend.”
This act wasn’t just about touching feet; it was about Dhoni’s ability to connect on a human level, far removed from the cricket field. He spent time talking to the journalist’s family, conversing in their regional dialect, making them feel as if they were old friends rather than fans meeting an icon. This interaction lasted for nearly 40 minutes, a significant amount of time for someone whose minutes are often counted in terms of media appearances or strategy meetings.
The story doesn’t end with Dhoni’s departure from the event. It lives on in the retelling, in how it has become a beacon of what true respect and humility look like. Dhoni, through this simple act, didn’t just honor an elder; he honored the values of respect and humility that are often overshadowed by the glitz and glamour of celebrity life.
This narrative serves as a reminder of why Dhoni continues to be revered not just as a cricketing legend but as a person whose actions off the field are as impactful as his captaincy on it. For the journalist and his family, this moment was more than a celebrity encounter; it was a lesson in humility, a testament to Dhoni’s grounded nature despite his towering achievements.
In a world where stories of celebrities often revolve around their achievements or controversies, this story stands out for its simplicity and the profound message it carries. MS Dhoni, by touching the journalist’s father’s feet, didn’t just pay respect to an individual but to the very ethos of respect and humility that transcends fame, wealth, and status. This tale, shared by the journalist, isn’t just about Dhoni; it’s about what we can all aspire to be, reminding us that greatness lies in the heart, not just in the hands that wield a cricket bat.
