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In the vast landscape of Indian cricket, few players have transcended the sport to become larger-than-life figures, commanding adoration that extends far beyond the boundaries of stadiums. One such luminary is the legendary MS Dhoni, whose unparalleled fan base has left an indelible mark on the cricketing world. However, Dhoni’s former teammate and good friend Suresh Raina recently revealed that there was another player in the annals of Indian cricket who once enjoyed a similar adulation, an enigmatic figure whose impact reverberated throughout the nation.
Suresh Raina names the cricketer with MS Dhoni-like fan craze
Raina, himself a stalwart of the Indian cricket team and a close ally of Dhoni shed light on this revelation during a recent interaction on Jio Cinema. When quizzed about whether he had witnessed any player besides Dhoni commanding such fervent support, Raina’s response was unequivocal and he named legendary Sachin Tendulkar as the player who attracted the same fanfare and admiration as the Chenna Super Kings’ skipper. He reminisced about the awe-inspiring aura surrounding Tendulkar during their early days in the Indian team, emphasizing how the Little Master’s name was synonymous with cricketing greatness.
“Absolutely, I saw Sachin Tendulkar receive this kind of love when we first came into the Indian team. That love was showered on Mahi bhai by Indian fans thereafter. ‘MSD, Mahendra Singh Dhoni’ – the name alone is embedded in people’s hearts,” remarked Raina, painting a vivid picture of the adoration both Tendulkar and Dhoni have garnered over the years.
Raina’s revelation underscores the enduring legacy of both Tendulkar and Dhoni, whose contributions to Indian cricket have left an indelible imprint on the sport. Their influence extends far beyond the cricket field, permeating the cultural fabric of a nation enamoured with the game.
Notably, Sachin is revered as the God of Cricket and has etched his name in the annals of sporting history with a plethora of records and achievements. From his majestic strokeplay to his unwavering dedication to the game, Tendulkar’s influence transcended generations, inspiring millions of aspiring cricketers across the globe.
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Parthiv Patel endorses Raina’s choice
Parthiv Patel, another former cricketer present during the discussion, echoed Raina’s sentiments, highlighting the symbolic significance of the jerseys retired by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) – numbers 7 and 10, worn by Dhoni and Tendulkar, respectively. Parthiv further explained how this gesture serves as a poignant tribute to the immeasurable impact these cricketing icons have had on the nation’s collective psyche.
“Look at the two jerseys retired by the BCCI. One is the No. 7 and the other is the No. 10. It shows that Dhoni isn’t just a player, he’s an emotion. The way he connects with people, whenever he meets people anywhere, he’ll talk to them as respectfully as possible. Only after doing all of this, you can create the aura that makes everybody love you,” remarked Parthiv.
