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Swapnil Kusale, the first Indian shooter to reach the 50m rifle three positions final at the Olympics, draws inspiration from M S Dhoni. Like Dhoni, Kusale is also a railway ticket collector. The 29-year-old from Maharashtra has been competing in international events since 2012 but had to wait 12 years to make his Olympics debut.Kusale relates to Dhoni's calm and patient demeanor, which are essential qualities for a shooter. He has watched Dhoni's biopic multiple times and hopes to emulate his achievements. A top-three finish in the 50m rifle three positions final would certainly elevate Kusale's status in Indian sport."I admire Dhoni for the person that he is," Kusale said. "My sport requires me to be as calm and patient as he is on the field. I also relate to his story as I am a ticket collector like he was."Kusale has been working for Central Railways since 2015. He qualified for the final with a score of 590, the most inner 10s among the three shooters who shot the same score.Kusale's family has also been a source of inspiration. His father and brother are teachers, while his mother is the sarpanch of their village.Aishwary Pratap Tomar, another Indian shooter, finished 11th in the qualification round.National coach Manoj Kumar Ohlyan is optimistic about Kusale's chances in the final. "He is in a good frame of mind," Ohlyan said. "We are hoping for the best. We just want him to perform the way he did today. He was patient. He is good technically and physically."Kusale's journey to the Olympics has been a long one, but he is now on the cusp of making history. With his calm demeanor and unwavering determination, he has the potential to become one of India's most successful shooters.

India's chess prodigy, D Gukesh, has emerged as a global sensation after becoming the youngest-ever challenger to the world title. Inspired by the resilience of MS Dhoni and Novak Djokovic under pressure, Gukesh attributes his success to their unwavering mental fortitude.At just 17, Gukesh shattered Garry Kasparov's 40-year-old record by winning the Candidates Chess Tournament in Toronto. This historic triumph grants him the opportunity to face reigning world champion Ding Liren of China later this year.Gukesh's admiration for Dhoni and Djokovic stems from their ability to perform at their peak under intense scrutiny. "They are big-game players who always come out on top and bring out their best when needed," he said. "That's why I'm attracted to them."While Dhoni led India to two World Cup victories and five IPL titles, Djokovic has amassed a record 24 Grand Slam titles. Gukesh also draws inspiration from Magnus Carlsen, the five-time world champion who recently forfeited his qualification spot for 2024."There are a lot of things you can learn from him," Gukesh said of Carlsen. "Not just chess, but also the mental attitude. He has one of the best mentalities in the world in any sport."Despite the inherent nervousness associated with chess, Gukesh believes that experience helps players manage their emotions. "We all get nervous, but with experience, we all learn how to deal with it," he said.Gukesh is eagerly anticipating his clash with Ding Liren and is confident in his preparations. The All India Chess Federation is exploring the possibility of hosting the world title contest in India.Kasparov, a legendary chess player, praised Gukesh's achievement, calling him "the Indian earthquake in Toronto." Gukesh expressed his gratitude for the recognition, saying, "Kasparov is one of my heroes, and to get a huge compliment from him means a lot."Beyond chess, Gukesh is an avid sports enthusiast, particularly enjoying tennis. "I like to play some sports, and generally, I am just in love with sports," he said.