"My inspiration" - Oman wicket-keeper Vinayak Shukla calls India legend MS Dhoni as his "guru"

Divy Dubey

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"My inspiration" - Oman wicket-keeper Vinayak Shukla calls India legend MS Dhoni as his "guru" image

In cricket, few players have left as deep an imprint on the game as Mahendra Singh Dhoni. His calm leadership, match-finishing skills and sharp wicket-keeping made him an icon for an entire generation.

Even today, young cricketers across the world continue to look up to him as a role model. One of them is Oman's Vinayak Shukla, who has openly acknowledged Dhoni's influence on his career while preparing for the Asia Cup 2025.

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Vinayak Shukla says MS Dhoni shaped his cricketing journey

Speaking to The Times of India, Shukla said he has always seen Dhoni as his biggest source of inspiration - both as a wicket-keeper and as a batter.

"As a wicket-keeper batsman, my inspiration has always been Mahendra Singh Dhoni - the way he finishes games and leads the team is unmatched. He is my guru. I have never met him but I want to meet him," Shukla said.

The 31-year-old moved from India to Oman in 2021 after struggling to find consistent opportunities in Uttar Pradesh's domestic circuit. He currently balances his cricket career with a job as a Data Operator at National Metal Cans in Muscat.

More: Asia Cup 2025 Super 4: Rules, format, schedule, points and teams explained

Shukla recalled his early days in Kanpur, where he played at local clubs before receiving guidance from coach Prakash Palande. It was Palande who advised him to shift to Muscat and build a career there.

After two years of hard work, Shukla has now made it into Oman's Asia Cup 2025 squad, where he has featured against the UAE and Pakistan.

More: IND vs PAK Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 match: Will Suryakumar Yadav avoid handshake again with Pakistan players?

Reunion with Kuldeep Yadav on the horizon

Oman will face India on September 19. And for Shukla, the match carries personal meaning.

He revealed he had played club cricket in Kanpur alongside Kuldeep Yadav - cherishing the memories of those encounters.

"I've played with Kuldeep Yadav back in India, so I hope we'll meet soon. We had many friendly games together. Once he bowled to me and I hit him for four, and he said, 'Oh, pretty good shot!' Those are memories I'll always cherish," he said.

For Shukla, the Asia Cup is more than just a tournament. It's a chance to test himself against the very heroes he grew up watching.

And at the heart of it all remains his biggest dream: to someday meet his "guru," MS Dhoni.

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Divy Dubey

Divy Dubey is a content producer for The Sporting News' India edition. He has a passion for cricket and is an avid fan of football. His work spans culture, media, and digital trends. With a background in research and a curiosity-driven approach, he enjoys crafting thoughtful, engaging stories that invite readers to see everyday topics in a new light.