A lot has been said recently about Dhoni as captain , batsman and last but not the least, keeper. Its to his credit that least talked aspect about Dhoni is his keeping, which is the first thing which got him in the Indian team in first place. Dhoni was never a natural keeper and he has worked hard at it to bring it to international levels and since not many questions are raised about it now, it could be because of one of these 2 reasons, either he is good enough keeper and best that India has OR other aspects of Dhoni the player completely out weigh this aspect.
Dhoni is not the best keeper India had or currently has, not even by narrowest margin. There are other keepers who would be more effortless while keeping in all conditions, seaming, standing up to spinners and also may be decent bat in front of wickets, but blame Gilchrist for this new standard of wicket keeper-batsman role. There is no way keeping is primary job anymore and Avg of 30+ as batsman in cricket is good for keepers. Keepers are expected to be good test batsmen and anyone with Avg of less than 40 is not good option. its ok if they drop an odd catch or let go few byes, why not, just because your best batsman drops a catch or misfields in cover, you don't drop him from team. wicket keeping is also a fielding position, yes, the important and specialist one but still a fielding position. So more than Avg wicket keeping skills are fine as long as you are proper batsman, and that means Avg of 45+ in tests and ODIs.
this is the difference between sides having only 5 batsmen or 6 (no 7 still belongs to all rounder unless you are Kallis). Dhoni brings this balance to Indian team, mostly for One Dayers. Dhoni the test batsman still leave lot to be desired.
But the most important role Dhoni plays is of India captain, which is the second most important job in India, after the Prime Minister (First when India is playing WC or Pakistan or Pakistan in WC ). Dhoni started well in test cricket, not losing much and winning a lot, check out any stats website for this. Also , lot has been said about 8-0 drubbing overseas, winning against WI and NZ was expected though there were some surprises but the recent loss against Eng was the real thing. Though England and Cook and Pietersen and Swann and Panesar deserve all credit, India didn't help themselves. I think Dhoni has a choice to make, he can be remembered as captain who won India the WC but was not good for test cricket or he can decide to leave his legacy behind.
Its no doubt that Dhoni thrives in shorter format, he is master of ODI batting and great reader of the game, couple of traits he is clearly lacking in tests, when the ball gets old and afternoons are long.
ODI pace suits his style of play, because stage of the game forces the play, rather than captains. He knows what batsman will try to do in power plays, middle overs and end of innings. He can judge that by who is on crease, how many wickets left, is it morning or under lights and who is bowling? In Tests, everything is open, batsman can play their game without worrying about run rates and that's when captain needs to force the pace, something where Dhoni is lacking. we can always blame the bowlers, as he can bowl only the ones who are playing but again, he is also responsible for who is playing!
Dhoni still believes that defending WC in 2015 is highest priority, he might leave one format by end 2013 to focus on this.He might consider leaving Tests soon after Australia series, atleast as captain so someone like Sehwag can take over. For heaven sake he has played almost 100 tests.
Indian cricket history may just get the captain who not only won the WC twice but also let Test team to get to no. 1 again,by leaving the captaincy. that might be his best move in test cricket so far.
Dhoni is not the best keeper India had or currently has, not even by narrowest margin. There are other keepers who would be more effortless while keeping in all conditions, seaming, standing up to spinners and also may be decent bat in front of wickets, but blame Gilchrist for this new standard of wicket keeper-batsman role. There is no way keeping is primary job anymore and Avg of 30+ as batsman in cricket is good for keepers. Keepers are expected to be good test batsmen and anyone with Avg of less than 40 is not good option. its ok if they drop an odd catch or let go few byes, why not, just because your best batsman drops a catch or misfields in cover, you don't drop him from team. wicket keeping is also a fielding position, yes, the important and specialist one but still a fielding position. So more than Avg wicket keeping skills are fine as long as you are proper batsman, and that means Avg of 45+ in tests and ODIs.
this is the difference between sides having only 5 batsmen or 6 (no 7 still belongs to all rounder unless you are Kallis). Dhoni brings this balance to Indian team, mostly for One Dayers. Dhoni the test batsman still leave lot to be desired.
But the most important role Dhoni plays is of India captain, which is the second most important job in India, after the Prime Minister (First when India is playing WC or Pakistan or Pakistan in WC ). Dhoni started well in test cricket, not losing much and winning a lot, check out any stats website for this. Also , lot has been said about 8-0 drubbing overseas, winning against WI and NZ was expected though there were some surprises but the recent loss against Eng was the real thing. Though England and Cook and Pietersen and Swann and Panesar deserve all credit, India didn't help themselves. I think Dhoni has a choice to make, he can be remembered as captain who won India the WC but was not good for test cricket or he can decide to leave his legacy behind.
Its no doubt that Dhoni thrives in shorter format, he is master of ODI batting and great reader of the game, couple of traits he is clearly lacking in tests, when the ball gets old and afternoons are long.
ODI pace suits his style of play, because stage of the game forces the play, rather than captains. He knows what batsman will try to do in power plays, middle overs and end of innings. He can judge that by who is on crease, how many wickets left, is it morning or under lights and who is bowling? In Tests, everything is open, batsman can play their game without worrying about run rates and that's when captain needs to force the pace, something where Dhoni is lacking. we can always blame the bowlers, as he can bowl only the ones who are playing but again, he is also responsible for who is playing!
Dhoni still believes that defending WC in 2015 is highest priority, he might leave one format by end 2013 to focus on this.He might consider leaving Tests soon after Australia series, atleast as captain so someone like Sehwag can take over. For heaven sake he has played almost 100 tests.
Indian cricket history may just get the captain who not only won the WC twice but also let Test team to get to no. 1 again,by leaving the captaincy. that might be his best move in test cricket so far.
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