Happy Birthday MS Dhoni: Why there won’t be a captain like him again
Skip to main content
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Features
  • Epaper
  • More
    • Subscribe
    • COVID-19
    • Bangladesh
    • Splash
    • Videos
    • Games
    • Long Read
    • Infograph
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Thoughts
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Archive
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
    • Supplement
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Saturday
August 13, 2022

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Features
  • Epaper
  • More
    • Subscribe
    • COVID-19
    • Bangladesh
    • Splash
    • Videos
    • Games
    • Long Read
    • Infograph
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Thoughts
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Archive
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
    • Supplement
  • বাংলা
SATURDAY, AUGUST 13, 2022
Happy Birthday MS Dhoni: Why there won’t be a captain like him again

Sports

Hindustan Times
07 July, 2020, 11:40 am
Last modified: 07 July, 2020, 11:42 am

Related News

  • Dhoni has 'defied' his age this IPL, says Hayden
  • Dhoni steps down as CSK captain ahead of IPL, Jadeja to lead
  • MS Dhoni lands in Chennai weeks ahead of IPL mega auction
  • 'Kohli, Shastri were controlling Indian cricket. MSD was called to keep balance'
  • Why are batsmen mostly successful captains in cricket?

Happy Birthday MS Dhoni: Why there won’t be a captain like him again

MS Dhoni’s contribution to Indian cricket stretches way beyond his record as captain or the number of trophies he has won and if at all we have seen the last of him, well, what a career it has been.

Hindustan Times
07 July, 2020, 11:40 am
Last modified: 07 July, 2020, 11:42 am
Happy Birthday MS Dhoni: Why there won’t be a captain like him again

Think of the greatest Indian captains of all time and what comes to mind… Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, Mohammad Azharuddin, Sourav Ganguly? Or one name that perhaps shadows all the above players combined? MS Dhoni. Yes, we thought as much. The best of Dhoni may be behind us. For all you know, we might have seen the last of him, but Dhoni's name remains right up there in the list of India's most decorated captains.

Go back to 2007. India were eliminated from the World Cup. Careers were at stake. Rahul Dravid was in the firing line for delivering India's worst World Cup performance since 1975 and despite a historic Test series win in England, an ODI defeat there and to Australia at home followed. With the team in turmoil, Dhoni invigorated India's hopes by doing the unthinkable – winning the first ever T20 World Cup, in South Africa. Appointed the ODI captain ahead of the Pakistan series, Dhoni began with a bang – a 3-2 win over the arch-rivals, and set himself on a path that would change the dynamic of Indian cricket.

For years, Australia had thrashed India on their soil. In 2000, India won just 1 out of 14 ODIs, and even though the result was slightly better three years later in 2004, Australia would nine out of ten times, deal India a sound beating. Four years later, however, that changed, and rather comprehensively, as under Dhoni, India defeated the might Australia in back-to-back finals in the 2008 CB Series to trigger pomp and joy.

The road wasn't easy. Dhoni made a bold call to pull the plug on Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly's ODI careers, but he backed himself and the results did not disappoint him. From there, India took off – series wins in Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and the 2010 Asia Cup title, Dhoni was at the centre of it all. India won their first Test series in New Zealand in 41 years and secured a resounding double by taking the ODIs. In 2009, India reached the pinnacle of the ICC Test rankings for the first time ever, with Dhoni, once again, at its forefront.

He started being called the 'Man with the Golden Arm', with the Midas touch, and it all culminated with him leading India to the biggest title of them all – the 2011 World Cup and how? With 150 runs from seven innings, Dhoni saved his best for the last, the all-important final, where he played the innings of his life. And unbeaten 91, including India's most memorable six as he lofted Nuwan Kulasekara into the stands. "Dhoni finishes off in style. India win the World Cup after 28 years and it's the Indian captain who's been absolutely magnificent on the night of the final." Ravi Shastri, we miss you in the commentary box.

However, from the high of the World Cup, Dhoni's captaincy powers began waning. A 0-5 hammering England was followed by a 0-4 whitewash in Australia. Dhoni still continued, with many questioning the BCCI's decision of sticking to him as the man in charge of the team. Perhaps no other Indian cricketer had gotten a rope longer than Dhoni. Then again, no other captain had done what Dhoni had either.

Dhoni received further stick for his infamous rotation policy involving Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, as India crashed out of the VB Series, unable to make it to the final. A month later, India lost the Asia Cup as well, but made it up with a 4-1 series win in Sri Lanka. The win got Dhoni back on track. With Sachin Tendulkar retiring and Sehwag and Gambhir in the last leg of their careers, Dhoni reinvented the team, getting on board the likes of Shikhar Dhawan, Ravindra Jadeja and giving the Indian team an opener in Rohit Sharma. There was no looking back.

Dhoni completed a trifecta of ICC trophies as India beat England to win the Champions Trophy in June of 2013, the only captain to do so. But the lows of overseas Tests were something Dhoni struggled to grapple with. Another poor show ensued in England as India lost the Test series 1-3 and later in Australia 0-2. In between, Dhoni came under fire for his ability to finish matches for India. He began leaving finishing off chases all to himself. Dhoni's call of refusing a single to an accomplished batsman like Ambati Rayudu in the final ODI against England in 2014 and backing himself to seal the match backfired when he couldn't get the job done.

Despite India doing reasonably well, Dhoni somehow could no longer crack the code of ICC tournaments with India stumbling in the final stages. They lost the final of the 2014 World T20 in Bangladesh, semifinal of the 2015 World Cup in Australia (having gone unbeaten in the tournament) and the semifinal of the T20 World Cup against West Indies in India. In early 2017, Dhoni the captain stepped aside, allowing Virat Kohli to take over, but not before he had led India to 110 wins from 200 ODIs, with a win percentage of 59.62.

Just like Dhoni caught oppositions off guard as captain, he continues to do so with his fans. Following India's exit in the World Cup last year in the semifinal against New Zealand, he's not been seen. Words from some quarters suggest he's done, while some are confident of him playing the IPL, irrespective of whenever that may be. However, if at all we have seen the last of Dhoni, what a career it's been. Probably India's GOAT!

Cricket

MS Dhoni

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Customers shop for vegetables at the Central de Abastos Market in Mexico City, Mexico.Photographer: Alejandro Cegarra/Bloomberg
    Latin America led world into high-rate era. Now it’s stuck there
  • Dalalplus embezzled Tk41cr: CID
    Dalalplus embezzled Tk41cr: CID
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Deputy Governor Michael Debabrata Patra. Photo: Collected
    US says India hid Russian origin of fuel shipped to US, India central banker says

MOST VIEWED

  • 'Shakib has assured us he won't repeat this mistake again'
    'Shakib has assured us he won't repeat this mistake again'
  • Mbappe backs Benzema to win 2022 Ballon d'Or
    Mbappe backs Benzema to win 2022 Ballon d'Or
  • Sabbir, Saifuddin return as Bangladesh announce 17-man squad for Asia Cup
    Sabbir, Saifuddin return as Bangladesh announce 17-man squad for Asia Cup
  • Shakib new T20I captain till World Cup
    Shakib new T20I captain till World Cup
  • IPL media rights: How cricket’s most valued e-auction was set up
    IPL media rights: How cricket’s most valued e-auction was set up
  • With 34 titles in the 21st century, La Liga now have more Uefa titles than every other league combined
    With 34 titles in the 21st century, La Liga now have more Uefa titles than every other league combined

Related News

  • Dhoni has 'defied' his age this IPL, says Hayden
  • Dhoni steps down as CSK captain ahead of IPL, Jadeja to lead
  • MS Dhoni lands in Chennai weeks ahead of IPL mega auction
  • 'Kohli, Shastri were controlling Indian cricket. MSD was called to keep balance'
  • Why are batsmen mostly successful captains in cricket?

Features

Toes and talons of Shikra. Photo; Enam Ul Haque

Shikra: A leopard with wings!

11h | Panorama
Photo: Noor-A-Alam

Around the world in 10 days: A chance to taste global cuisines

9h | Food
Lobbyists float ludicrous arguments to prevent tobacco control act amendment

Lobbyists float ludicrous arguments to prevent tobacco control act amendment

12h | Panorama
Will US-China tensions boil over?

Will US-China tensions boil over?

10h | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

Eggs are selling at record prices

Eggs are selling at record prices

40m | Videos
Dollar price increase affecting Karnaphuli tunnel construction

Dollar price increase affecting Karnaphuli tunnel construction

1h | Videos
Climate crisis a blessing in disguise to them

Climate crisis a blessing in disguise to them

2h | Videos
Growing rice crisis shows how important food self-sufficiency is for Bangladesh

Growing rice crisis shows how important food self-sufficiency is for Bangladesh

3h | Videos

Most Read

1
Dollar crisis: BB orders removal of 6 banks’ treasury chiefs 
Banking

Dollar crisis: BB orders removal of 6 banks’ treasury chiefs 

2
Photo: Collected
Transport

Will Tokyo’s traffic model solve Dhaka’s gridlocks?

3
Diesel price hiked by Tk34 per litre, Octane by Tk46
Energy

Diesel price hiked by Tk34 per litre, Octane by Tk46

4
Representational Image. Photo: Collected
Bangladesh

Air passengers should plan extra commute time to airport: DMP

5
Arrest warrant against Habib Group chairman, 4 others 
Crime

Arrest warrant against Habib Group chairman, 4 others 

6
File Photo: State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid
Energy

All factories to remain closed once a week under rationing system

EMAIL US
[email protected]
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2022
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - [email protected]

For advertisement- [email protected]