5 striking similarities between MS Dhoni and Anup Kumar
The Indian sport of kabaddi has seen a meteoric rise ever since the inception of the Pro Kabaddi League. The league's glamour quotient has inspired youngsters around the nation to take to the local grounds and play a game or two along with their friends, a scenario that saw cricket grow leaps and bounds if one was to go back a decade.
It has to be said though, that while kabaddi is still making its way to the top, cricket is already established as a major sport in India. The reason for the popularity of both sports though is the presence of some superstars who have served as an inspiration for prospective talents.
Two such players who have had a major impact on Indian sport are Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Anup Kumar. While Dhoni has tasted unparalleled success in cricket, Anup is a household figure and one of India's favourite sons when it comes to kabaddi.
Dhoni and Anup have acres of experience under their belt and given their influence in Indian sport, here are five similarities between the two stars:
#5 Captaincy: the master key to success
It does not come as a surprise when one says that both Anup and Dhoni have emerged as two of the greatest captains of all time. After Dhoni assumed the captain's role in 2007, he led India to numerous titles such as the World Twenty20 in 2007, ICC World Cup 2011 and Champions Trophy in 2013, apart from taking India to the top of the rankings in all three formats. He also holds the record for the most number of wins by an Indian captain.
Aside from this, Dhoni, at the helm of the Chennai Super Kings, led them to two IPL victories (2010, 2011) and the Champions Trophy (2010, 2014).
Similarly, Anup Kumar has also marshalled the Indian team to stupendous effect, leading them to the title in the 2016 Kabaddi World Cup in addition to captaining U Mumba to a victory in PKL 2015.
Although U Mumba have won only one final, they have made it to three from five seasons, highlighting Anup's efficiency as a captain.