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

Dhoni passed over the baton as one of India's most successful captains of all time

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.

#4 Style of play

Anup Kumar is one of the world's leading raiders

To lead a team full of superstars is no easy task. It takes guts, determination and a crucial understanding of the game's various nuances. Both these men have managed to bring all the necessary qualities to their respective playing arenas and perform on an individual level as well.

On the cricket field, MS Dhoni is known to be one of the world's best leaders and has taken some gutsy decisions in terms of bowling changes and field placements. With the bat in hand, he averages more than 50, a stunning achievement for a lower middle-order batsman and with an ability to rotate strike and don the aggressor's role in equal measure, Dhoni's style of play is admired by many fans across the world.

On a similar note, Anup has grown with each passing year and is currently one of the best raiders in the world. While the bonus point is his major go-to weapon, Anup's dexterity has come to the fore on many occasions and the skipper has often taken on the responsibility to score points in a heap when his team has been in trouble.

In a fast-moving sport such as kabaddi, it is imperative to pick up points with the clock constantly running down on the raider. From 78 games, Anup has 546 points with an average of 7 points per game whilst also lending a hand as an able defender in the previous season.

#3 Unfairly criticised for performances

Anup Kumar is hoisted by his teammates after putting on a match-winning performance in the Kabaddi World Cup

In an illustrious career spanning 482 international matches, Dhoni averages above 35 in all three formats of the game, an outstanding feat for a batsman who comes in to bat generally during the slog overs. Labelled as one of the best finishers in the game, Dhoni has been instrumental in many of India's famous victories but has been trolled on some occasions when he has failed to produce the goods.

Coming in late with a lot of pressure to deliver, Dhoni has recently come under the scanner for having failed which is unfair, given that he is human and bound to fail on occasion.

On a similar note, Anup Kumar's performances have been overshadowed by some strong performances from his team-mates although his raids have turned matches around for the team. Taking the DO-OR-DIE responsibilities, Anup has ensured that his team has stayed in the game, but two and three-point raids from his team members have put him in the shadows.

#2 Major support system for youngsters

Dhoni (L) looks on from the end as the team celebrates its 2013 Champions Trophy triumph

Being the leader of the side, the limelight falls on the captain whenever the team wins a major trophy or tournament. In a scenario when most captains hoist the trophy in the air and are surrounded by team-mates, MS Dhoni and Anup Kumar adopt a different approach.

Happy to see the team's youngsters revel in the moment that they lift the cup and celebrate the win, both these men have stood on the sidelines and soaked in the moment, with the victory just another feather in their cap.

Always ready to give advice when needed, Dhoni and Anup have been known to help their team-mates, mainly the youngsters, and give them the required boost to bring the best out of them.

#1 Massive popularity quotient

MS Dhoni is one of the most popular figures in India

One of India's most successful captains and best finishers in the world, MS Dhoni has transformed into a very popular cricketer, respected all over the world, so much so that a movie titled 'MS Dhoni, the Untold Story' was produced to tell the world about his journey to stardom.

Similarly, when one travels around India and asks about Indian kabaddi, Anup Kumar is a name that instantly pops up.

Over time, both these superstars have built a strong foundation for young talent waiting in the wings and have also gained a massive fan following. Long story short, Dhoni and Anup have proven their worth as two of the world's best captains and the world has to salute their achievements.