11 October 2008

Hum ko chahiye thoda extra

Dhoni has gone and done it again. Granted there is no sense in picking on him alone, for even Laxman deserved to be spanked for that prod-nudge. But this is Dhoni we're talking about. Champion of the fresher pair of legs, that harbinger of a new dawn who is both leader of men as well as a general among strategists, and our best ODI batsman. For Kumble's days are certainly numbered, and if Dhoni does not come up with a defining innings soon, there might be another interim captain in the horizon. Since the England series, Dhoni has scored: 36, 57, 50*, 37, 0, 11, 2, 35, 19, 38, 16, 20, 16, 14, 52, 32. His last (and only) hundred was more than eighteen months ago.

More must be demanded of Dhoni in the Test outfit. If he plays to potential, the possibility of having a fifth bowler, at least in India, is not too distant.

10 comments:

straight point said...

9/51
what better score you expect from him batting on mine field like this...

Khare said...

Good Point, John, although one cant help but sympathise with Dhoni the batsman. In the one day game he is forced by the excesses of his teammates to play the steadying hand on the tiller, while in the test game he is still among the juniormost batsman who should be watching his performances to ensure he keeps his place in the team. Poor fellow must be confused.

Soulberry said...

I agree!

John said...

SP,
The manner of his dismissal. Seemed a bit casual. And Dhoni is a better batsman than that, SP.
Welcome Uday,
In ODIs, he brings his own force field with him on to the grond in which it seems like there is no pressre at all.. Some of that would be great in Tests as well.

Gaurav Sethi said...

in his new avatar, msd's been more set on occupation. he's that classic god fearing batsman with an alibi -"look, i didn't play a rash shot, still i got out"

when form is on the wane, even the best resort to this.

Btw recall Gilchrist ever scrapping around?

Q said...

He's still doing better than any other keeper around the world.. and he is that first - a keeper.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for saying that, John! He must come under scanner for this - as you correctly point out, this isn't the first time. I remember SP did a post on how captaincy has changed Dhoni. I can now turn that around and question the attitude of the man who doesn't care enough to perform (with the bat) when he isn't captain. He's a good wicketkeeper, that I'm not taking away. If only some of the substitutes were better!

straight point said...

you missed my sarcastic point john :)

John said...

Of course.

Anonymous said...

why do you forget that most of those innings were match turning or match winning innings too esp the 37 in Sydney that almost saved us the test and then 2 50s in the series against Pak late last yr ?