Title: The Dhoni Touch
Author: Bharat Sundaresan
Publisher: Penguin (Ebury Press)
Pages: 206
Price: Rs 299
I had just finished reviewing politically infused book and was desperately looking for something light, yet interesting, to read. Looking at the pile of books lying on my desk, I was not sure which one to pick. After a couple of minutes, I was sitting in my balcony with ‘The Dhoni Touch’ by Bharat Sundaresan. I didn’t really know if I had made the right choice and whether it would help me ease my politically-triggered headache. Above all, it was a book written by a sports journalist, and for me, personally, having been there and done it all kind, I really didn’t know what different to expect.
My state of mind was like that of a middle-order batsman coming to bat after opening collapse, with a big target to chase and uncertainty over his own performance. I wasn’t sure what Bharat had different to offer about Mahendra Singh Dhoni, fondly called ‘Captain Cool’, on whom even a biopic was made and screened to full-house all across all multiplexes.
Just like Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the author’s style of narration and simplicity with a dash of honesty in writing took me completely by surprise. So engrossed I was that the middle order batsman who began his innings at tea-time was 206 (pages) not-out at dinner. I not only finished the book at one go but also revisited several marked pages to read all over again some interesting facts and untold incidents about ‘Mahi’.
It is a book every Dhoni fan will cherish, it is a book every Sachin Tendulkar fan would want to read and, most importantly, it is a book that no cricket lover will ever want to miss reading. A glimpse of Dhoni right from his school days to leading the Men In Blue and the memories associated with him of several individuals who came along his illustrious journey has been scripted to near perfection. The author has put his professional instincts of detailing, like any reporter would do, to the best of his expertise while digging out some previously unheard facts about Dhoni.
Dhoni’s closest friend Seemant Lohani, better known as Chintu helps the author in getting the minutest details: Right from Captain Cool’s long hair to his fascination of bikes and cars. Mahi’s MECON Colony days and his initial love for football as a goal-keeper, though known to many, makes a wonderful read in The Dhoni Touch. The only cricket coach Dhoni ever had, Keshav Lal Banerjee, spills out certain traits which never changed in Mahi despite being a sporting celebrity. One of the reasons, why Dhoni always remained different from the rest and continues to be so even till date.
A chapter, ‘Fauji Captain’, speaks a lot about Dhoni’s personal character with a strong dislike for any vices like alcohol or cigarettes. And also introduces to readers his dedication and commitment towards Territorial Army after he was conferred with the rank of honorary Lieutenant Colonel on November 1, 2011.
Whatever we know about Dhoni today is just a tip of an iceberg. A persona like him can never be totally encompassed in a film or a book. But attempts like these done by Bharat certainly helps to melt bit more of the ice revealing little more for the seekers like all of us.