Mumbai: Ambati Rayudu could not hold back his tears as he spoke about MS Dhoni after India A’s warm-up game against England here on Tuesday at the Cricket Club of India.
While India A lost the match despite Rayudu’s hundred, the right-hander was more saddened by Dhoni’s decision to step down from India’s limited-overs captaincy. India’s World Cup-winning captain decided to relinquish the reigns after leading the national team for over nine years. Not only he became India’s greatest captain but he remains to be the only captain who has led his side to all three ICC trophy wins – ICC World Twenty20, ICC World Cup and ICC Champions Trophy.
While Rayudu was not a part of any of those squads, he did play considerable amount of cricket under Dhoni. At the conclusion of the warm-up game at the Brabourne Stadium, an emotional Rayudu, who resumed cricketer after being sidelined from the game for six months following an injury, spoke about Dhoni.
“It’s very emotional. I personally feel he [Dhoni] is the best captain India has ever had. (I am) Very happy that I could score a hundred in his last game as captain,” said Rayudu.
“He’s a living legend. I was just watching him, even today he was emotionless. As cool as ever. I am teary eyed right now. Best part about Dhoni bhai is that he keeps things very simple. No panic. He helps youngsters and people like me to build our cricket instead of pushing us and throwing us into a lot panic," added Rayudu.
Rayudu also praised Kohli who will take over from Dhoni as Indian skipper in limited-overs cricket.
“Virat is also developing into a very good captain. So, Indian cricket is in good hands, said Rayudu.”
Dhoni, on Tuesday, walked in to bat after Rayudu gout out after scoring a ton. Not only was the Captain Cool received a thunderous reception and was cheered throughout his last knock as the captain in Indian colours, one of the spectators also ran on the field to touch Dhoni’s feet.
Virat Kohli, who leads Indian Test team, is named as India’s limited-overs captain after Dhoni stepped down from captaincy. Kohli will resume his duties as India’s full-time captain in ODIs and T20s as India take on England in the first of three ODIs in Pune on January 15.
