- Nasima Akter
Afghanistan Star Receives Special Gift From MS Dhoni
Afghanistan's young and talented wicketkeeper-batsman, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, was recently overjoyed to receive a signed jersey from the legendary former Indian cricket captain, MS Dhoni. Gurbaz couldn't contain his excitement as he took to social media to share a picture of himself holding Dhoni's jersey from his Chennai Super Kings (CSK) days. This heartwarming gesture by Dhoni left the 21-year-old on cloud nine, and he expressed his gratitude by thanking Dhoni on Twitter and mentioning that the gift had come all the way from India.
This heartwarming exchange between the two cricketers is not the first instance of Dhoni gifting his signed jersey to an overseas player. Back in January 2022, Pakistani fast bowler Haris Rauf had also received the same honor from the former Indian skipper. Dhoni's gesture of goodwill and camaraderie transcends national boundaries and showcases his respect and admiration for players from other countries.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz has gained immense popularity in international cricket for his aggressive batting style and exceptional shot selection. Making his debut in 2019, the talented youngster has quickly made a name for himself. His remarkable performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season further solidified his reputation as a promising player. Playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Gurbaz showcased his skills by amassing 227 runs in 11 matches, which included two impressive half-centuries.
Expressing his admiration for MS Dhoni, Rahmanullah Gurbaz had previously revealed his desire to play alongside the former Indian captain and the renowned South African batter, AB de Villiers. In an interview with Hindustan Times before the IPL 2023 season, Gurbaz shared his aspirations of sharing the field with these two cricketing legends. He mentioned that de Villiers had been his idol since childhood, and he had always followed him closely. Though de Villiers had retired by then, Gurbaz hoped to realize his dream of playing with MS Dhoni at least once during the IPL season.
Despite his own stellar performance in IPL 2023, Gurbaz's efforts weren't enough to propel the Kolkata Knight Riders into the playoffs. The team managed to secure only six victories out of their 14 matches, finishing seventh on the points table. Gurbaz had previously been a part of the Gujarat Titans in 2022 but didn't get the opportunity to play a single match. However, his talent and potential were recognized by the Kolkata Knight Riders, who acquired him for Rs 50 lakh ahead of the 2023 season.
In his international career, Rahmanullah Gurbaz has already played 18 One Day Internationals (ODIs), amassing 606 runs with an impressive record of three centuries and two half-centuries. Additionally, he has featured in 41 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), scoring 1019 runs, including five half-centuries. These statistics indicate the young player's consistent contributions to the Afghan national team and his ability to perform under pressure.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz's journey as a cricketer has been nothing short of inspiring. With his aggressive style of play and knack for making impactful contributions, he has garnered attention both in domestic tournaments and on the international stage. His passion for the game, coupled with his desire to learn from cricketing icons like MS Dhoni and AB de Villiers, will undoubtedly fuel his growth as a player. As he continues to hone his skills, cricket fans eagerly await his future performances, hoping to witness his rise to greater heights in the world of cricket.
