>

Mahendra Singh Dhoni yet to pass litmus test of Indian captaincy

  • Chin
  • Topic Author
  • Visitor
  • Visitor
17 Dec 2013 11:03 #168796 by Chin
Mahendra Singh Dhoni yet to pass litmus test of Indian captaincy
Boria Majumdar,ET Bureau | Dec 18, 2013,

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, among many other things, is only three matches away from becoming the Indian captain with the most number of ODI wins. He has already won two world cups-the inaugural T-20 world cup in 2007 and the 50-over world cup at home in 2011-and also the 2013 Champions Trophy. To add to this, he has led India to the pole position in Test rankings in 2009.

Does all of this make him the best Indian captain ever?

Dhoni's legacy as the best in the ODI format is beyond question. As one of the best players playing the 50-over format, Dhoni, with a staggering average of 53 plus, has done tremendously well for himself and India in ODIs. However, in the Test match format, he still has a lot to prove. Just a year-and-a-half earlier, we lost 8 consecutive Test matches away from home, a record that just doesn't go with the man tipped to be the best ever.

We also lost a home series against England, which, more than anything else, was acutely disappointing. And Dhoni as a batsman can seriously do much better than what he has done in Test in overseas conditions. It is as if he doesn't like the format and finds it a little too daunting on occasions. It is in this regard that his legacy has to improve significantly.

And it is this poor overseas record that prompts me to bring Sourav Ganguly back into the debate on India's best captain. This debate is regarding Test match cricket and nothing else. Under Sourav, more than anyone else, we learnt to win overseas. Since taking over in 2000, he won us a crucial Test match at Headingley in 2002. India went on to draw that particular series 1-1 against the English.

We followed this up with a runner-up finish in the 2003 world cup winning 8 consecutive matches on South African soil. And then came the absolutely incredible test win at Adelaide. This win meant we drew the 2003-4 series down under 1-1. The honeymoon was complete when India beat Pakistan in Pakistan 2-1 in March-April 2004.

It is not only about test wins and not losing key series away from home. Saurav's performances in these important away series are also worth looking into. He got a hundred in the Headingley Test match and was involved in a match winning partnership with Sachin Tendulkar.

And in the series down under in 2003-4, it was his century in the first Test at the Gabba that set the tone for the contest. It is in key away series that I'd love to see MSD come good. We are playing 14 Test matches overseas between December 2013 and January 2015. Each of these Test matches will need MSD to be at his inspiring best. It is upon MSD to encourage his young brigade and lead from the front. We need a Ganguly like 144 to set the tone and unless that happens, his legacy as the best ever can never be doubtless.

MSD as a test batsman overseas has been below par. Except a crucial 90 in South Africa in a losing cause in 2010 and a match saving 76 not out in England in 2007, no other innings of significance comes to mind. Compare it with Dhoni's ODI record and the contrast is profoundly clear. It is like Roger Federer at Wimbledon and subsequently at the French Open. I am certain that MSD is more than aware of this blooper and will do all in his powers to set the record straight.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
17 Dec 2013 22:00 #168888 by Kyle
I don't know how such a comparison makes sense. Even if MSD wins a lot, doesn't mean much IMO. He's obviously a damn fine leader - and Indias best ODI captain, but tests it's context dependent.

That would be like comparing Border and Ponting. Context matters.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • easyrider
  • Topic Author
  • Visitor
  • Visitor
18 Dec 2013 01:27 #168895 by easyrider
You can compare purely on numbers but as you quite right say, Kyle, context matters.

Numbers do not tell the full story.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
18 Dec 2013 22:18 #169192 by Kyle
Surely you mean you *can't, right easyrider? Yep, true dat. I think you can appreciate what they've done - viz. building a team and taking it from there. Comparisons are just an apples vs oranges exercise, and ultimately boils down to personal preference.

I'll admit though, it was much more exciting for me to watch the Indian team under Ganguly, but that might be my bias/nostalgia speaking :)

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • mapoui
  • Visitor
  • Visitor
18 Dec 2013 23:14 #169196 by mapoui
dat majumdar fella doh mek sense.  Indian went through a test downturn starting in england..older players getting old and transition etc. 

but during that first losing test series in england Dhoni himself was ultra consistent as a player, giving his all while the aging stars did not do well.

I dont see how Dhoni can be faulted for that losing period.  he himself did well as leader and player, held the side together in transition and has emerged leading a new side on an upward trend.  Dhoni has passed every test with high marks

dat Majumdar fella is ah rubrics cube the man hard.  pheeeew!  he mus' want the great god himself before he can call somone good

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • easyrider
  • Topic Author
  • Visitor
  • Visitor
19 Dec 2013 03:04 #169206 by easyrider

No. You can just look at numbers and it will tell you a different, perhaps shewed, position if you do not take context into account.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Time to create page: 0.262 seconds
LanceFORMER JAMAICA and West Indies left-arm spinner Nikita Miller is excited about imparting his knowledge of the game to the Caribbean side’s spin-bowling unit for the upcoming two-Test series against Pakistan.(10.01.2025, 18:11)(18:11)0
AmosAndrew Strauss steps down as England's director of cricket(10.01.2025, 13:06)(13:06)0
DylanChris Gayle T20 statistics(09.01.2025, 11:11)(11:11)0
SeanHello, I'm excited to join the conversation!(09.01.2025, 04:47)(04:47)0
LanceThe Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) pitch, used for the recent fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT), has received a 'Satisfactory' rating from the International Cricket Council (ICC). The world body has rated all other four BGT venues - Optus Stadium in Perth, Adelaide Oval, the Gabba in Brisbane, and the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) - 'Very Good.'(08.01.2025, 20:03)(20:03)0
LanceYounis Khan to mentor Afghanistan at Champions Trophy 2025(08.01.2025, 20:02)(20:02)0
MercySouth Africa cricket team upcoming matches schedule(07.01.2025, 16:11)(16:11)0
JavierType something here and click Submit or hit Enter...(07.01.2025, 07:37)(07:37)0
IvannaTest comment for registration.(06.01.2025, 16:33)(16:33)0
AdrianDarren Bravo had a remarkable 2020 cricket season, showcasing his skills and talent on the field. His impressive performance was a significant factor in the team's success, and his dedication to the sport is truly admirable. Bravo's ability to adapt to different playing conditions and his consistent batting average made him a valuable asset to the team. What are your thoughts on Darren Bravo's performance in the 2020 cricket season?(06.01.2025, 04:35)(04:35)0
RileyCan you provide me with the contact information for the Czech Cricket Union (Českomoravský Kriketový Svaz)?(06.01.2025, 03:35)(03:35)0
RyleeI am looking for the contact information for the Czech Cricket Union (Českomoravský Kriketový Svaz). Can you please provide it?(05.01.2025, 21:05)(21:05)0
Karsyn2023 West Indies vs England test match series(04.01.2025, 19:29)(19:29)0
ElsaDarren Bravo 2020 cricket season(04.01.2025, 13:21)(13:21)0
Reagan2023 West Indies vs England test match series discussion(04.01.2025, 12:47)(12:47)0
RoyalWest Indies vs England test match series 2023(04.01.2025, 04:45)(04:45)0
LylahWest Indies vs Sri Lanka test series(04.01.2025, 03:06)(03:06)0
LydiaRohan Kanhai(04.01.2025, 01:29)(01:29)0
AryannaWest Indies vs England test match series 2023(04.01.2025, 00:26)(00:26)0
LexieHello, I'm excited to join the Cricket West Indies community!(03.01.2025, 23:05)(23:05)0
MauriceWest Indies vs England test match series 2023(03.01.2025, 16:56)(16:56)0
Kaelyn2023 West Indies vs England test match series(03.01.2025, 16:34)(16:34)0
ScottWest Indies vs England series discussion(03.01.2025, 15:09)(15:09)0
AryannaWest Indies vs England test match series(03.01.2025, 15:08)(15:08)0
Rhettupcoming Test tours(03.01.2025, 13:36)(13:36)0
Mackenzie2023 West Indies vs England test match series(03.01.2025, 10:04)(10:04)0
Lanceindia bowled out cheaply(03.01.2025, 09:45)(09:45)0
GinoWest Indies vs England test match series 2023(03.01.2025, 07:32)(07:32)0
KaidenceJason Holder West Indies captaincy(03.01.2025, 06:43)(06:43)0
AllenWest Indies vs India first test(03.01.2025, 05:35)(05:35)0
MackenzieWest Indies vs England test match series 2023(03.01.2025, 05:24)(05:24)0
KendraWest Indies cricket upcoming Test series(03.01.2025, 03:57)(03:57)0
LayneWest Indies vs England test match series(02.01.2025, 16:26)(16:26)0
Milaniwomen's cricket(02.01.2025, 15:26)(15:26)0
Braxtonketchim(02.01.2025, 10:03)(10:03)0
ReedCARIVS 2020 contact(01.01.2025, 23:21)(23:21)0
CyrusBrian Lara Stadium inaugural match(01.01.2025, 23:17)(23:17)0
AlysonSuper User(01.01.2025, 18:58)(18:58)0
VeraWest Indies vs England test match series(01.01.2025, 17:52)(17:52)0
MilaniWest Indies vs Bangladesh cricket series(01.01.2025, 12:45)(12:45)0
Lancehappy new year(01.01.2025, 01:08)(01:08)0
ByronAustralia beat up on india(31.12.2024, 14:24)(14:24)0
JuliannaWest Indies vs England test match series(30.12.2024, 21:31)(21:31)0
KarlaSunil Philip Narine Test matches India(30.12.2024, 20:50)(20:50)0
MadilynnWest Indies vs England test match series(30.12.2024, 15:54)(15:54)0
EmersonIreland vs England Test cricket latest news(30.12.2024, 15:11)(15:11)0
JosieWest Indies vs Bangladesh(30.12.2024, 01:56)(01:56)0
ZainWest Indies cricket team latest Test match series performance(30.12.2024, 00:38)(00:38)0
TarynWest Indies vs New Zealand cricket match(29.12.2024, 22:47)(22:47)0
DemetriusWest Indies vs New Zealand upcoming cricket match discussion(29.12.2024, 14:15)(14:15)0
Ansley
Go to top