MS Dhoni has sent shock waves across the country with his sudden
retirement from Test cricket. On the final day of the MCG Test, he
announced his retirement from Tests. It was as sudden as one of his
helicopter shots, coming out of nowhere to surprise everyone.
As Dhoni leaves the Test arena, let us have a look at his Test career and the legacy he left for Indian cricket.
Initial Journey
MS Dhoni started his jouney as a Test cricketer in 2005 against Sri Lanka and came into his own very soon. His unorthodox batting and suspect technique were as barriers to a good Test career. However Dhoni proved eveyone wrong and played many good knocks early into his career. His century versus Pakistan in Pakistan helped India save a Test match in the 2006 series,and his attack on Shoaib Akhtar enthralled Indian cricket fans no end.
He continued to improve his overseas batting also and played few crucial knocks there too under pressure situations. By 2008, Dhoni’s name was talked about as the possible successor to Anil Kumble to lead the Test side. His successes in the T 20 and ODI formats in a very short span of time made him the most suitable contender for the Test leadership.
Rise To The Top
MS Dhoni led India in Tests for the first time in 2008 against South Africa and he went on to win all his first four Test matches as captain. Under his charismatic leadership, India steadily improved and won series after series to attain the number 1 spot in Test rankings for the first time in 2009.
The two biggest factors behind this rise to numero uno spot were Dhoni’s shrewd captaincy and Virender Sehwag’s batting. After Anil Kumble’s retirement in 2008, Dhoni used the limited bowling resources India has very wisely and got the best out of players like Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh.
Calm under Pressure
Dhoni also brought a sense of calm to Indian cricket and it saw players performing well under pressure situations. India held on to the number one spot in Test ranking for 18 months, and sustained many sharp challenges to their position by rising under pressure and always peforming when it mattered most. Dhoni’s calm and composed nature under all situtations seemed to pass on to his teammates.
Dhoni as a Batsman
Dhoni as a batsman was destructive in Asian conditions and his match winning 224 against Australia in Chennai has to count amongst the best knocks on Indian soil in the last decade. He also improved overseas and played many gritting knocks, including a match saving 92 in the first Test of the 2007 series on England soil. India went on to win that series 1-0. He was India’s top scorer in the 2014 series also in England, where most top batsmen failed to put up a good show.
Overseas Failures
He faced failures overseas from 2011 to 2014, when he lost most of the matches in England and Australia against top opposition. He was passive at many times in matches, and did not play the same aggressive brand of cricket he was known for. What exacerbated matters was the retirement of Indian batting greats like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman. The lack of good fast bowling options also hampered his quest to lead successfully on overseas soil. All these factors seemed to weigh upon him both as a player as well as the captain.
Dominant at Home
However despite all this, Dhoni was very successful on Indian soil and won most of the matches Indian played at home. He was a different captain at home, attacking with the spinners and looking always proactive in spin friendly conditions. India white washed Australia for the first time in its Test history 4-0 in a Test series in 2013. Out of the 30 Tests that Dhoni led India on home soil, we won 21 and lost only 3. Historically he ranks fourth amongst Test captains with most home wins.
A word of Thanks to the man!
India owe MS Dhoni a big thanks and lot of respect for what he has achieved for Indian cricket. He led India to the top of Test cricket and led the team with dignity and composure. His calming presence will be missed by all Indian cricket fans when India takes field in the whites next. Truly a champion cricketer and a great leader of men! Well done on a fabulous Test career Mr Dhoni!
Captain Cool: The MS Dhoni Story
As Dhoni leaves the Test arena, let us have a look at his Test career and the legacy he left for Indian cricket.
Initial Journey
MS Dhoni started his jouney as a Test cricketer in 2005 against Sri Lanka and came into his own very soon. His unorthodox batting and suspect technique were as barriers to a good Test career. However Dhoni proved eveyone wrong and played many good knocks early into his career. His century versus Pakistan in Pakistan helped India save a Test match in the 2006 series,and his attack on Shoaib Akhtar enthralled Indian cricket fans no end.
He continued to improve his overseas batting also and played few crucial knocks there too under pressure situations. By 2008, Dhoni’s name was talked about as the possible successor to Anil Kumble to lead the Test side. His successes in the T 20 and ODI formats in a very short span of time made him the most suitable contender for the Test leadership.
Rise To The Top
MS Dhoni led India in Tests for the first time in 2008 against South Africa and he went on to win all his first four Test matches as captain. Under his charismatic leadership, India steadily improved and won series after series to attain the number 1 spot in Test rankings for the first time in 2009.
The two biggest factors behind this rise to numero uno spot were Dhoni’s shrewd captaincy and Virender Sehwag’s batting. After Anil Kumble’s retirement in 2008, Dhoni used the limited bowling resources India has very wisely and got the best out of players like Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh.
Calm under Pressure
Dhoni also brought a sense of calm to Indian cricket and it saw players performing well under pressure situations. India held on to the number one spot in Test ranking for 18 months, and sustained many sharp challenges to their position by rising under pressure and always peforming when it mattered most. Dhoni’s calm and composed nature under all situtations seemed to pass on to his teammates.
Dhoni as a Batsman
Dhoni as a batsman was destructive in Asian conditions and his match winning 224 against Australia in Chennai has to count amongst the best knocks on Indian soil in the last decade. He also improved overseas and played many gritting knocks, including a match saving 92 in the first Test of the 2007 series on England soil. India went on to win that series 1-0. He was India’s top scorer in the 2014 series also in England, where most top batsmen failed to put up a good show.
Overseas Failures
He faced failures overseas from 2011 to 2014, when he lost most of the matches in England and Australia against top opposition. He was passive at many times in matches, and did not play the same aggressive brand of cricket he was known for. What exacerbated matters was the retirement of Indian batting greats like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman. The lack of good fast bowling options also hampered his quest to lead successfully on overseas soil. All these factors seemed to weigh upon him both as a player as well as the captain.
Dominant at Home
However despite all this, Dhoni was very successful on Indian soil and won most of the matches Indian played at home. He was a different captain at home, attacking with the spinners and looking always proactive in spin friendly conditions. India white washed Australia for the first time in its Test history 4-0 in a Test series in 2013. Out of the 30 Tests that Dhoni led India on home soil, we won 21 and lost only 3. Historically he ranks fourth amongst Test captains with most home wins.
A word of Thanks to the man!
India owe MS Dhoni a big thanks and lot of respect for what he has achieved for Indian cricket. He led India to the top of Test cricket and led the team with dignity and composure. His calming presence will be missed by all Indian cricket fans when India takes field in the whites next. Truly a champion cricketer and a great leader of men! Well done on a fabulous Test career Mr Dhoni!
Captain Cool: The MS Dhoni Story
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