‘MS Dhoni: The Untold Story’ became the biopic with the biggest opening. Cricket fans loved the movie, and critics rated it well. Sponsored by the Indian skipper himself, the movie showed how Ranchi boy, Mahi, went on to become one of the most successful captains of the Indian cricket team.
While the nation is awestruck with our hero Dhoni and his biopic, we share with you 5 career lessons that the biopic teaches us:
- Find What You Love And Let It Kill You:
Mahendra Singh Dhoni (MSD) excelled in badminton and football during his school days. He was a goalkeeper for his football team, and was sent to play cricket for a local cricket club by his football coach. “Do you like to play cricket?” a little guy asks Mahi, while he was playing football, in the beginning of the film. “Oh come on! Who plays with such a tiny ball“, he replies standing at the football goal post. It needs a special talent for transforming from a not-so-big-fan of the game to mastering the same. Our hero, MSD, has got that. It was when he realized that cricket is where his heart is, he made it his religion and became a true devotee of his God – Sachin.
- Accept Your Failures And Learn From Your Mistakes:
Bihar U-19 cricket team advanced to the finals of the 1999-2000 Cooch Behar Trophy where they had to play against Punjab.
Bihar’s Total Score: 357
Dhoni’s Contribution: 84
Punjab’s Total Score: 839
Yuvraj Singh’s Contribution: 358 (a run more than Bihar’s total score)
Dhoni wasn’t selected whereas Yuvraj Singh and Mohd. Kaif secured their place in the U-19 Indian cricket team, but that did not stop him. Instead, he bought sweets and celebrated with friends so that he could remember the moment that made him realize he had to improve his game. It was after this, that he practiced more, and made his Ranjhi Trophy Debut in 1999-2000; in his debut match, he scored 68(not out) against Assam.
- Dare To Chase Your Dreams:
Dhoni was raised in a middle-class family, where a stable government job was all his family desired for. However, Dhoni had better plans and bigger dreams for himself. He struggled day-in-and-out to reach to the top. Even after missing the flight for his Duleep trophy match, and several chances to make it to the Indian cricket team, he kept assuring himself that things will get better. He took the job of a Travelling Ticket Examiner with the Indian Railways but continued to practice cricket, after his working hours, to return to a better form. He knew what his true calling was, and decided to quit his job, when it started to affect his game. The sudden demise of his girlfriend came up like a shock to him when his career as a cricketer was about to start. He did fell a prey to depression and his performance affected subsequently, but it was because of his focus on his career and determination, that he did a wonderful come back.
- Build Stronger Relationships:
There is no doubt that it was Dhoni’s talent that made him the successful cricketer that he is today. Along with his exceptional skills on-field, his trusted relationships played an important role in his success. The way Dhoni’s long-standing partnerships have been portrayed in the movie is commendable, and it gives a very important lesson about importance of friends and mentors. Dhoni’s coach, his family, his friends – he could rely on every one. For them, Dhoni’s career and problems were their own, and they left no stone un-turned in helping him pave his way throughout. Needless to say, Dhoni learned the famous helicopter shot from his own childhood friend, Santosh.
- Take Risks And Justify Your Actions:
Dhoni’s efforts and dedication to his work right from his childhood days finally led him to achieve his dream. When you are credible, and you do something with integrity, others respect you. For his decision to remove some unfit yet senior players from the team, he was criticized, but later everyone realized that it was a right decision. Planning is very important in life; Dhoni started to plan for the ICC World Cup 2011 in 2008. Three years earlier. When others said the Indian team still had 3 years, he corrected by saying only 3 years. The result: India won the ICC World Cup in 2011.
Of all the life lessons and amazing dialogues from the movie, this one verse between Dhoni and AK Ganguly (the then Railway official and Dhoni’s boss) is our favorite-
“If it is a full toss, whack it.
If out swing, leave it.
If inswing, defend it.
If bouncer, duck it.”
Remember:Just keep your Scoreboard moving.
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