Cricket analyst Simon Hughes believes the two sportsmen have more in common that it first seems.
Former Middlesex bowler and current analyst Simon Hughes believes that if Michael Jordan was the sportsman of the 20th century, then MS Dhoni is leading the way for the 21st.
Hughes’ comments come after Dhoni led his IPL side Chennai Super Kings to dramatic victory against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Thursday, hitting the four runs required for victory with just two balls spare.
Whilst title of sportsman of the 20th century is often attributed to Mohammad Ali or Don Bradman, the former paceman thinks it was Jordan’s ability to win in dramatic fashion that sets him apart – and is also a trait Dhoni possesses.
“Every player on the court, and most of the 15,000 people in the arena, knew what he [Jordan] was going to do,” Hughes wrote in his Telegraph column.
“Yet they were all powerless to stop him.
“I thought of Jordan when watching MS Dhoni win yet another match for the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL.”
Being compared to the man many consider the greatest basketball player of all time is praise indeed for the wicket-keeper, as Jordan was voted the NBA’s most valuable player on no fewer than six occasions.
‘His Airness’ also holds the record for most points scored per match, but it is his ability to win at the very last moment that makes Hughes think Dhoni is in the same company.
Not for the first time in 2013 the Chennai captain has won the match for his franchise in dramatic fashion and his flashy demeanor and batting style make the keeper a crowd favourite.
Whether he will be viewed as sportsman of the 21st century remains to be seen.
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