Sunil Gavaskar recalled the time when he told MS Dhoni that he would love to watch his 2011 World Cup-winning six one last time before he says goodbye to the world. Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket on Saturday, drawing curtains on what has been an exceptional career for the former India captain. Dhoni announced his decision in an Instagram post with a video depicting his entire journey in an Indian jersey.
Remembering his fond memories of Dhoni, the legendary Gavaskar recalled his iconic six against Nuwan Kulasekara in the final of the 2011 World Cup against Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Dhoni had slammed an unbeaten knock of 91 runs in the final to help India chase down the tricky target of 275 runs with ease along with Gautam Gambhir, who scored a brilliant 97.
With 4 runs required in the penultimate over of the summit clash, Dhoni launched Kulasekara for a six over long-on. The memorable shot is etched in the memory of Indian cricket fan as it brought an end to an agonising wait of 28 years for India’s second World Cup after 1983. Gavaskar, who had previously said he would like to watch that six from Dhoni one last time before he dies, revealed he told the same thing to the man himself and recalled his reaction.
Gavaskar said he met Dhoni during the IPL season after the 2011 World Cup – where he told the wicket-keeper batsman that his six would be the last thing he would want to see before he says goodbye to the world. Dhoni was modest about it and responded with a smile.
“A few days later, the IPL started. CSK were playing their first game. I was at the ground and I met MSD and I remember saying to him that look ‘if I know that in this world, I have got a few couple of minutes left, then I would ask somebody to put that shot on, then I would love to see that shot and then say goodbye to this world. I would go with a smile on my face,” Gavaskar told India Today after Dhoni’s retirement from international cricket on Saturday.
“That’s exactly what I said to MSD and MSD of course was very modest about. He just smiled and didn’t say anything. That’s what I genuinely feel,” he added.
