For someone like me who comes from a small town, MS Dhoni was our hero: KL Rahul

Former Indian captain MS Dhoni has played a role of mentor and role model for a lot of Indian cricketers. In his tenure as a captain, Dhoni was known to back the young talents and help them in utilising their full potential. Many legends of modern-day cricket including the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Suresh Raina have often credited the Ranchi stalwart for supporting them in their tough times.

Pulling down the curtains on his golden international career of 16 years, MSD bid an adieu to the gentleman’s game on August 15. Since then many of his former colleagues have shared some beautiful memories of playing alongside the veteran cricketer. Recently, the young Indian batsman KL Rahul also recalled the contribution of the former international cricketer in his cricket career.

I will just give MS Dhoni a long hug, says Rahul

The official twitter handle of Indian Premier League shared a video in which Rahul candidly spoke on how Dhoni acted an inspiration for people like him who came from a small town. Also, the swashbuckling batsman feels blessed to have shared the same dressing room with MS.

“It was quite an emotional moment for the whole country and for world cricket. We have all grown up wanting to be MS Dhoni. Especially for someone like me who comes from a small town, he was our hero. We always told our families look it doesn’t matter where you come from, you can always go and try and achieve your dreams,” Rahul said in the video.

“I am sure I won’t have enough words to tell him . I will just give him a long hug and say thank you and probably ask him to go easy on Kings XI this time,” he added.

Interview – @lionsdenkxip Captain @klrahul11 speaks to @RajalArora about his ideology as a Captain, idolizing @msdhoni and more….

📹📹https://t.co/wlEP3Ijmbo #Dream11IPL pic.twitter.com/MDpdHCnEi1

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) August 25, 2020

Interestingly, KL had made his international debut for India in the Boxing Day Test match in Melbourne in December 2014 which also happened to be MS Dhoni’s last Test match as he had announced his retirement from the longest format of the game after that. The 28-year-old later made his ODI and Test debut under the leadership of Dhoni in June 2016.

Both KL and MS will be seen in action during the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League which is all set to kick-start from September 19 in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, with the final to take place on November 10. While Rahul will make his debut as a captain for the IPL franchise Kings XI Punjab, Dhoni will be seen leading Chennai Super kings.