Thursday’s game, the 4th ODI between Indian and Sri Lanka, is no less than a dead rubber from an Indian fan’s perspective. But there is still a large wave of excitement surrounding this fixture since it’ll be Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s 300th ODI.
Dhoni will join India’s elite names like Sachin Tendulkar (463), Rahul Dravid (344), Mohammed Azharuddin (334), Sourav Ganguly (311) and more recently Yuvraj Singh (304).
His road to the 300 ODI landmark, filled with extreme highs and manageable lows, has been one of the most eventful rides in International cricket. Perhaps, he remains one of the few limited overs cricketers who played through their entire career with the same level of success and effectiveness. No doubt, he was called a rare mix of various talents right from the beginning.
The Beginning
The journey began 13 years ago in Pakistan. Sourav Ganguly’s experimental mind and youth favoured mindset ensured MS Dhoni’s exploits at the domestic level didn’t go unnoticed as Dada picked him for the 2004 tour of Bangladesh.
A muscular wicket keeper batsman with brownish coloured locks trying to steal a quick single only to fail and get run out for a first ball duck was the first glimpse of the modern day great at the international level.
As a struggler, who dabbled between his railway job and club cricket, Dhoni always understood the importance of pouncing on the opportunities that came his way. The dismal debut was followed up by two below par innings before he tasted his first big success when Pakistan came visiting India in 2005. Batting in a completely carefree manner, Dhoni smashed 148 from just 123 featuring 15 fours and 4 sixes in at Vishakhapatnam to grab the imagination of Indian fans.
Team India’s search for a reliable wicket keeper batsman vanished for a long time after that game.
Captain Charismatic Is Born
A series of solid performance brought MS Dhoni fame, recognition, the tag of match finisher and also vice captaincy in the Test format. But, what changed his career and the reputation of Indian cricket was MS Dhoni’s appointment as the limited overs captain in 2007.
Post the debacle of 2007 World Cup, where the Rahul Dravid led side was ousted in the first round itself, India was on a look out for a capable leader. Initially, speculations were ripe that Sachin Tendulkar would take up the role once again, But, like the classic case of “one bitten, twice shy,” Tendulkar stayed away from the taking the responsibility keeping in mind his struggle of 1999 stint as captain. Instead, he did something much more wonderful by suggesting MS Dhoni as a probable. BCCI had no qualms and Dhoni was named the limited overs captain before the inaugural 2007 T20 World Cup.
History beckoned him. Long story short, two dates should be enough to perhaps define his legacy
- September 13, 2007: Dhoni’s first international match in charge of India, the ICC World T20 opener, ends up as a wash out against Scotland. Anyway, no one fancied India’s chances as it comprised mostly of young names under the leadership of an inexperienced captain.
- September 24, 2007: Dhoni wins his maiden ICC trophy, beating Pakistan in a nail-biting final at Johannesburg. The unexpected had happened and “Captain” Dhoni’s leadership skills and calm demeanour was brought to the fore which later on earned him the perfect nickname – Captain Cool.
The Pinnacle
MS Dhoni career, both as an individual player and leader, was reaching his peak of his powers. The only things left to happen was a defining moment that would seal his reputation forever. Fortunately, he didn’t have to wait long for it as India prepared to enter the 2011 World Cup with the favourites tag on.
As expected India did extremely well throughout the tournament. With seasoned champions like Yuvraj Singh, Zaheer Khan and Gautam Gambhir on his side, MS Dhoni attained the pinnacle of his ODI career by ending India’s 28-year-old wait for an ICC World Cup. His legacy as India’s most successful limited overs captain was stamped.
Closer to the tipping point?
Dhoni has been in the news for much of this ongoing limited overs series. The debate over his longevity and effectiveness as a finisher was under question right from the start of 2017. There were certainly pretty good examples of his under par performances that made the worry completely legit.
His natural game has deserted him in recent times. The struggles to farm the strikes and the ability to clear the ropes with ease seems to have lost its sheen. With World Cup 2019 in minds, the pressure is increasing day by day. The axing of Yuvraj Singh and chief selector MSK Prasad’s straightforward quote about the uncertainty surrounding Dhoni’s place in the team made things look trickier.
But, after playing a significant role in bailing out the team during back-to-back tricky chases in the 2nd and 3rd ODIs, he has assured that a lot of steam is left in him. The doubts over his ability will subside for some time though not for long. There needs to be no explanation made for the fact that Dhoni has reached the tipping point of his career. Each and every ODI which he plays starting from today will be a test of his reputation without any doubts.