Naman Dhir watched his winning stroke travel beyond the advertisement board, turned back, punched his partner’s gloves, offered a silent prayer and retreated to the dugout, without the feverish excitement of someone celebrating his first noteworthy moment in international cricket. It was as though he had waged several such battles; that such pursuits hold only a cold, momentary thrill. Only two balls remained when he wrapped up the match chasing New Zealand’s 225, but Dhir’s poise ensured the audience never really searched for their nails or hair.

These are traits of some famous finishers, ice in their veins and calculators in their pocket. MS Dhoni occasionally flashed the boy-next-door smile; Michael Bevan smirked at times. Both seldom poured emotions on the field, or saved them for the locker room revelries.…