When Suresh Raina chose to go the Dhoni-way with a humorous response to a journalist
“O Captain, my captain..”
Remember that emotional heart-wrenching climax of the film Dead Poets Society?
A classic example of a sheer act of defiance riveted with utmost loyalty to follow your ‘captain’. Perhaps, for Suresh Raina also, it was all about following the footsteps of his ‘captain’ MS Dhoni.
But the only difference – it probably turned to be more of a humorous anti-climax where he made all the media representatives burst into laughter when a journalist asked whether he wants a foreigner or an Indian to take over as the coach of the national team.
Raina literally did a-Dhoni while replying to the question asked to him. “Sir, tell me one thing, will you be more comfortable with your own wife or somebody else," Raina aptly replied as the conference room broke into laughter. (watch between 05.17 to 6.25 of the video)
Following his ‘captains’ footsteps
Days after MS Dhoni tried to ridicule a journalist when he asked a very legitimate question that whether he is considering retirement or not. Dhoni responded spontaneously by inviting the Australian journalist to sit next to him on the stage.
"Come here, let's have some fun," said Dhoni, beckoning to Ferris to join him. Ferris blinked and looked taken aback. Dhoni pushed aside one of the chairs next to him and said: "I am serious, come here."
He was as if expecting the question and knew exactly what he was doing.
However, he later admitted that he was expecting an Indian journalist to ask that question.
Raina, who is regarded as someone who often tries to follow Dhoni’s footsteps, will now make people talk about his relation with Dhoni all the more – but now may be, with a touch of humour.
However, at the end, Raina chose to play it safe. He said that the appointment of the coach is the board’s job and he would be happy with anyone the BCCI selects for the job.