Sanjay Bangar opens up on MS Dhoni battling through the pain barrier against Pakistan

MS Dhoni. (Photo Source: MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP via Getty Images)

MS Dhoni has inspired several cricketers with his standout career. Fans look up to him and idolise him for some of his surreal contributions to Indian cricket. One of Dhoni’s most remarkable traits is his ability to battle pain and give his 100 per cent for the team.

Former Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar, who has worked closely with Dhoni, remembered an incident in the 2016 Asia Cup where the legendary wicketkeeper-batter got injured while lifting weights in the gym. According to Bangar, the injury was so severe that the then-Indian captain couldn’t move sideways. However, he was determined to play the match against Pakistan.

“Actions speak louder than words. It was no way possible that MS (Dhoni) could’ve play through the Asia Cup, and the match against Pakistan. He wasn’t able to move sideways, he wasn’t able to run. Despite that, he wanted to show that he was there for the team. He ran the park. He did everything he could. A lot of it is unsaid, players know the importance of this game,” Bangar was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

MS Dhoni’s commitment bore fruit

MS Dhoni fought through pain and guided India to a memorable win against their arch-rivals. The 2016 Asia Cup was played in the T20 format for the first time to allow the teams the chance to prepare for the subsequent T20 World Cup in India.

Pakistan were dismissed for just 83 in 17.3 overs as Hardik Pandya was the wrecker in chief with a three-for. Chasing the paltry score, India got off to a horrible start as opener Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma departed without scoring. Suresh Raina also departed early as India were reeling at 8/3.

However, Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh stitched a 68-run partnership to bail India out of trouble. Kohli and Hardik Pandya were dismissed in the same over, and it was Dhoni who came out to the middle and hit the winning runs with a boundary off Wahab Riaz. India went on to win the Asia Cup by beating Bangladesh in the final.