The Dhoni Touch Book Review: A Captivating Portrait of a Cricketing Legend

The Dhoni Touch Book Review

Name: The Dhoni Touch

Launch: 7 July 2018

Author: Bharat Sundaresan

Genre: Sports, Cricket, Biography

Rating: ★★★★

Buying Link: Amazon

The Dhoni Touch by Bharat Sundaresan is a biographical book that explores the life and career of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, one of the most successful and influential cricketers of all time. The book, published in 2018, is based on the author's extensive interviews with Dhoni's friends, family, teammates, coaches, and rivals, as well as his own observations and insights as a cricket journalist. The book reveals the various facets of Dhoni's personality and leadership, such as his humble origins, his military stint, his diplomatic skills, his love for Chennai, his mathematical genius, and his magical touch that transforms everything he touches.

The main argument of the book is that Dhoni is not just a cricketer, but a phenomenon that transcends the boundaries of the sport and inspires millions of people across the world. The book aims to unravel the enigma that is Dhoni, and to show how he has changed the game of cricket and the culture of India with his unconventional and innovative approach.

The book is divided into 11 chapters, each focusing on a different aspect of Dhoni's life and career. The book covers his childhood and early days in Ranchi, his rise to fame and fortune in the Indian Premier League, his captaincy and achievements with the Indian national team, his controversies and challenges, his retirement and legacy, and his personal and professional relationships. The book also includes some anecdotes and quotes from Dhoni and his associates, as well as some photographs and illustrations.

The book's strengths are its engaging and conversational style, its rich and detailed information, its balanced and objective perspective, and its human and emotional appeal. The book does not shy away from discussing Dhoni's flaws and failures, but also celebrates his strengths and successes. The book does not idolize or criticize Dhoni, but tries to understand and appreciate him as a complex and unique individual. The book also captures the essence and spirit of Dhoni, and shows how he has touched the lives of many people with his charisma and grace.

The book's weaknesses are its lack of structure and coherence, its repetition and redundancy, and its lack of analysis and depth. The book does not follow a chronological or thematic order, but jumps from one topic to another without a clear connection or transition. The book also repeats some information and stories across different chapters, which makes it tedious and boring at times. The book does not provide much analysis or insight into Dhoni's strategies and decisions, but mostly relies on anecdotes and opinions. The book also does not explore the broader context and implications of Dhoni's impact on cricket and society, but focuses mainly on his personal and professional life.

The book can be compared and contrasted with other similar books, such as Playing It My Way by Sachin Tendulkar, A Century is Not Enough by Sourav Ganguly, and The Test of My Life by Yuvraj Singh. These books are also biographies of famous Indian cricketers, but they differ in their tone, style, and content. Playing It My Way is more formal and factual, A Century is Not Enough is more candid and emotional, and The Test of My Life is more inspirational and motivational. The Dhoni Touch is more informal and humorous, and tries to capture the essence and spirit of Dhoni.

The book can be rated on a scale of 1 to 5 stars, where 1 is the lowest and 5 is the highest. I would give the book 4 stars, as it is a well-written and well-researched book that provides a captivating portrait of a cricketing legend. The book is not perfect, but it is enjoyable and informative, and it does justice to the subject matter.

The book can be recommended to anyone who is interested in cricket, sports, or biography. The book is suitable for readers of all ages and backgrounds, as it is easy to read and understand, and it appeals to a wide range of emotions and interests. The book can also be used as a source of inspiration and motivation, as it shows how a boy from a small town in India became one of the greatest cricketers and leaders of all time.

Some questions for further discussion are:

• What are the most memorable and surprising stories or facts that you learned from the book?
• What are the most admirable and admirable qualities of Dhoni as a person and as a cricketer?
• How do you think Dhoni has influenced the game of cricket and the culture of India?
• How do you compare and contrast Dhoni with other cricketers or sports personalities that you admire or dislike?
• What are the lessons or messages that you can take away from the book?