#TFGtake: Dhoni starts his third innings

AS THE INDIAN CRICKET team entered the 2004 season, it lacked a finisher and was desperately in search for one in the ODIs. Just when it appeared all gloomy for the men in blue, MS Dhoni arrived on the international scene with the reputation of being a six-hitter and started vanquishing bowling attacks with aplomb.

Dhoni’s initial pyrotechnics in 2005, including his heroics against Pakistan 148 and Sri Lanka 183* captivated and thrilled Indian fans and also generated hope for the future.

Given Dhoni’s ability to tonk balls deep into the sands, he was used as a floater in the early part of his career. In fact, it was only during the 2006 tour of Pakistan when Dhoni consistently batted at the no.4 position and scored two fifties and helped India win the series.

Moreover, every time Dhoni walked out to bat, he was expected to entertain he crowd with monster hits, and it was indeed a great spectacle to see Dhoni responding in the affirmative. Interestingly, during this phase, Dhoni also maintained a remarkable strike-rate well over 100, won numerous games for the country and in the process, cemented his place in the team.

After clearing the ropes successfully for the third time in Mohali yesterday, Dhoni surpassed Sachin Tendulkar’s tally of most sixes by an Indian in ODIs. Currently, Dhoni has clobbered 96 sixes in the 50 over format. Dhoni also went past Ricky Ponting‘s tally of most sixes as an ODI skipper. ‘Captain Cool’ has 125 sixes to his credit. He also brought up his 700th four in Chandigarh last night. 

Although Dhoni’s swashbuckling knocks were marveled at in the cricketing circle, his dodgy technique was also highlighted at every given opportunity. Inevitably, Dhoni struggled in England and went through a series of low scores in the seven-match ODI series in 2007. That said, he was immediately given the responsibility of leading a young side in the inaugural World T20 in South Africa and to everybody’s surprise, led India to glory. 

In fact, Dhoni batted consistently between No.4-6 slot and also curbed his natural instinct to go after the bowling. Realizing his duties as a captain, Dhoni preferred to play the sheet-anchor role in the middle order. For the benefit of the team, Dhoni also shifted his focus from hitting lusty blows to stealing singles and doubles.

In a remarkable transition, from being a savage hitter of a cricket ball, Dhoni went onto become one of the swiftest runners between the wickets. With amazing match awareness, cheeky running, and big-hitting, Dhoni became India’s match-winner. In this process, he also successfully took his average over 50 in the ODIs. 

Dhoni has also scored more than 6500 runs as a skipper at a staggering average of 54. His match-winning exploits, coupled with his unparallel numbers has earned him the reputation of one of the very best in the ODIs. Yesterday, the skipper became only the fifth Indian cricketer to complete 9000 runs in the format. Regardless of how he finishes, Dhoni has firmly cemented his place in the history books as one of the modern day greats. 

Dhoni’s biggest quality was his ability to read the game. Perhaps, his greatest knock for the Indian team came in the finals of the 2011 World Cup in Mumbai. Realizing the spot of bother the hosts were in, Dhoni took the onus on himself and walked ahead of Yuvraj Singh at No.4 and took India over the line with an unbeaten 91. 

A few years later, post the 2015 World Cup, Dhoni’s hitting ability was evidently on the decline. Like always, quick to pounce onto anything worth debating, former players were baying for his blood. In fact, it is interesting to know that Dhoni hasn’t registered a single century after his heroics against Australia in October 2013. That said, record books will reveal how Dhoni’s 50s, 60s and 70s have contributed to India’s success on a regular basis. Yesterday’s knock further justified Dhoni’s role with the bat and his value.

After producing yet another gem in Mohali, Dhoni like a genuine sportsman has himself come out and confessed about his limitations as a finisher. While we might not see Dhoni producing the same pyrotechnics of yesteryears, it would be a folly to write him off. 

Furthermore, Dhoni expressed how he always wanted to bat at the No.4 position and help India construct an innings. Consider this: out of the 244 times he has batted in ODIs, 202 times he has batted below the No.4 position. In the 42 innings that he has batted in the top four, his average shoots up to 68.54 against his career average of 51.17. His strike rate reads 97, again right more than his career strike-rate.

While the detractors might feel otherwise, we are convinced that Dhoni has indeed started his third innings and still has lots to offer to the Indian team before he bids the game adieu.