For those who ask "Where is Dhoni?", wait till July 2...

By K.R. Nayar

Cricket fans have been missing Mahendra Singh Dhoni in action since July 10, 2019, after he played for India against New Zealand in the semifinal of the 2019 World Cup. This Thursday on July 2, he will appear in the role of an online coach. Dhoni had once mentioned to me about his love for coaching and what he thinks of teaching youngsters his pet 'helicopter' shot. He may now go on to win hearts as a coach like he did as a player.


Dhoni interacts with youngsters at the MS Dhoni academy in Dubai. Image credit: Late Saleem Sanghati

For those who have been wondering about India’s legendary wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni's whereabouts, here is the answer.  On Thursday, July 2, Dhoni will appear in the form of an online cricket coach. Three years ago Dhoni, while in Dubai, had announced that he wishes to contribute as a coach and groom budding youngsters. He will now be giving online coaching for children from the age of six, and to senior players as well.

This online academy is being supported by Aarka Sports that has been backing Dhoni’s mission of coaching youngsters by setting up cricket academies in different parts of the world.
Aarka has tie-ups with Pacific Sports (Dubai), Academia7 (Singapore), SRMB TMT, Delhi Public School (Bokaro), Delhi Public School (Varanasi), Krishnam Sports Park (Lucknow), Ramagya Sports Academy (Noida), Krishna Public School (Bareily), and SGR Sports Academy (Nagpur). It was through the tie-up with Pacific Sports in Dubai that Dhoni launched his first global cricket academy here. This academy ran into lease issues with the venue, but plans are now on to revive it soon.

South African Test star Daryll Cullinan conducted a webinar on Dhoni's online coaching plans 

Former South African Test star Daryll Cullinan, who has played in 70 Test matches, will be the Director of Dhoni’s online academy.  On June 28th, Cullinan had conducted a webinar and answered queries related to the online academy.

I am not sure whether the World Cup semifinal match that I reported on July 10, 2019, from Manchester would be the last time I reported on Dhoni, watching him as a player. Dhoni has not made himself available for selectors to pick him for international cricket since the 2019 World Cup.

After launching the Dubai academy in 2017, Dhoni had made an interesting remark: “Every kid must play an outdoor sport. MS Dhoni Cricket Academy is not only about producing cricket talent. Our academy’s vision is to guide a kid to become a champion in life through sports.” 

 Dhoni inaugurates his academy in Dubai.  Image credit: Late Saleem Sanghati

During that launch, I'd asked Dhoni whether he would teach youngsters his helicopter shot and his reply was:  “It is something that I learned when I used to play tennis ball cricket in the streets of India. It is a difficult shot that was played with a tennis ball, but I realised that it would be tough to implement it in a proper cricket game. For kids in an academy, it is a difficult shot to play and I don’t want them to get injured because there is a high chance of them hitting their ankle while attempting this shot. So I would not want kids to attempt this now ....maybe  when they grow up, once they play under-16 then they could give it a go.”

After launching the Dhoni Academy in Dubai, Dhoni flew to Singapore and also launched his academy there. Ever since the Coronavirus pandemic, Dhoni has been at his Ranchi home, and he will continue his mission of helping kids become good cricketers from there. After the online academy launch, more information can be obtained from www.aarkasports.com.  

 

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