By IANS
Ranchi : Mahendra Singh Dhoni has tackled the best bowlers in the world and beaten the Australians on their own turf. Now the Indian cricket team captain’s wish to tickle his grey cells and become a graduate has a Jharkhand college in a tizzy.
Dhoni, who has passed higher secondary, Wednesday approached the principal of St. Xavier’s college in Ranchi and expressed his desire to enrol for bachelor’s course in commerce.
“If Dhoni attends the classes, how will we study?” screamed Pinki Kumari, a first-year student of the St. Xavier’s.
“We will only gaze at him from outside the classroom.”
Dhoni did his schooling from D.A.V. Shayamli, but after that the cricketer overtook the student in him. He discontinued his studies as he got busy playing Ranji Trophy before being called to don the “blue” for the country.
Even the teachers are happy that the Indian skipper is setting the right precedent and being a good role model.
“People earn name and fame after completing education but he (Dhoni) will be the first who has earned name, fame and money and then decided to join college,” said Walter Bhengra, head of mass communication department at St. Xavier’s.
But it may not be cakewalk for the master wicketkeeper-batsman. The college authorities are still finding ways to ‘accommodate’ their star student.
“Dhoni is an extra-ordinary case. We will try to condone his attendance shortfall. We will have to take up this issue to the academic council of the Ranchi University,” Nicholas Tete, principal of St. Xavier’s, told IANS.
“Dhoni has just expressed his desire to pursue B Com (bachelor of commerce) course for academic year 2008-2011. He is yet to submit his application form. He will be admitted through sports quota only if he has the required documents,” remarked Tete.
Dhoni’s candidature may not have been finalised but students are already planning to ‘rag’ their new student. His task for the ragging would be to play cricket, said one of the students.
Like most of his innings on field, Dhoni seems to have planned his off-field innings with care – become a graduate and get married.
When asked by reporters about marriage, he said with a smile: “Mera number bhi ayega (my turn will also come).”