For MS, it’s more about team
Batting great Sachin Tendulkar did not find anything wrong with Mahendra Singh's approach in the World Cup clash against Bangladesh as he felt the former captain put his team first. Tendulkar’s latest opinion was strikingly different from his criticism of the former captain a few days ago when he questioned the “lack of intent” during a similar knock against Afghanistan. Dhoni, whose 35 off 33 balls at the death saw India score only 63 runs in the last 10 overs against Bangladesh, was slammed by fans on social media for his slow knock but Tendulkar said it was an important innings for India. “I felt it was an important innings and he (Dhoni) did exactly what was right for the team. If he stays till the 50th over, he can help other guys around him. He is expected to do that and he did that,” Tendulkar told ‘India Today’. India posted a 28-run win, and Tendulkar applauded Dhoni for his commitment towards the team. “For him, it is more about the team. Whatever is the need of the hour, one needs to do that and on Tuesday, he did that perfectly,” the legendary former cricketer added. Last week, India had struggled en-route their 11-run win over Afghanistan and Tendulkar had expressed his disappointment with the team’s slow batting display, saying Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav lacked positive intent during their tense clash.
From Spain for Dhoni
Walking into the Edgbaston Cricket Ground on Tuesday to see the national flag of Spain came as quite a surprise. After all, it was a game of cricket between India and Bangladesh and the first thing that comes to mind when sports fans think of Spain is football. But this was special. An MS Dhoni fan had come all the way from the Canary Islands in Spain with his family just to watch their favourite cricketer live in action. Speaking to IANS, Rajesh Raisinghani said they had booked ticket back in October last year so that they could travel to England to watch the Indian team and their favourite Dhoni from the stands. "We do follow cricket, but as you know, football is the most popular sport back in our country. But my wife Sharlu and son just love Dhoni and it was a dream for us to come to the stadium to catch a glimpse of our favourite cricketer. We haven't had the opportunity to meet him personally, but who knows? Maybe soon," he smiled. His wife Sharlu added that they are even carrying a gift for Dhoni's daughter Ziva. Even though they are yet to meet Dhoni personally, to watch him so closely has made it worth the effort to travel from Spain's Canary Islands, off West Africa. "We have travelled almost 3,860 km to watch Dhoni live and trust me, it has been worth the effort. You only live once, so got to do things you love," she added.