2007. Inaugral T20 WC. Johannesburg. Misbah ul-Haq. Sree Santh. Joginder Sharma. Ecstacy. Delight. Triumph. Those were the days.
Not so long ago, MS Dhoni was the architect of India‘s first major success in the 21st century. A young side skippered by the man from Ranchi had overcome all the odds to clinch the inaugral T20 World Cup when very few gave them a shout. But since then, India have had very little to ride home about in the shortest format of the game. India have failed to clear the Super 8s in each of the previous three editions of the World T20, bowing out of the 2009 and 2010 editions without a single win in the Super 8 stage. Generally since the beginning of the Indian Premier League, India have turned up cold for the World T20. If they show up in Bangladesh in the same manner, they will be doing so at their own risk.
It is important to note that the World T20 competition in 2009 as well as in 2010 was held right after the IPL, injuries and burnouts to key players dented India’s hopes significantly. Looking ahead to the glamour event scheduled to begin on Friday with the crunch India-Pakistan encounter, a lot is at stake for Mahendra Singh Dhoni. A horrendous overseas record has seen India last win a test match on foreign soil way back in 2011 in Kingston. And with the Virat Kohli led side failing to produce the goods in the Asia Cup, there is no denying that Dhoni is a man who must be feeling the heat. Despite the unwavering backing of the board, India’s most successful captain seems to be on borrowed time as he leads India to a very crucial tournament. The defeat column is fast piling up but the Indian captain is no stranger to adversities.
Often faced with tough situations, Dhoni has usually had an strong answer and has managed to stay afloat with key results covering up for the low phases. Most notably in 2013 when he led India to the Champions Trophy title after all the turmoil surrounding the match fixing scandal in the IPL. Likewise, the crushing defeats to England and Australia and the lacklustre showing in the World T20 in Sri Lanka in 2012 was followed by a resounding 4-0 thumping of Australia in our own backyard.
India head into the World T20 this week after another disappointing season of cricket which has seen the men in blue fail to win a single test or ODI in South Africa and New Zealand, and a disappointing showing in the recently concluded Asia Cup. Dhoni knows that nothing short of a victory would be a satisfactory result, in a format in which he is regarded as one of the most destructive batsmen in the business. India, owing to BCCI’s reluctance to play T20 internationals, have lesser experience in the format compared to other nations, but Dhoni’s phenomenal success rate in the IPL with the Chennai Super Kings is ample proof that Dhoni has the credentials to be a successful leader in the T20 format. Success in Bangladesh will not wipe away all his troubles, but will earn him a bit more time. It will not silence his detractors, but merely keep them quiet for a while.
And Dhoni already has the nod of approval from Australian legend Ian Chappell who remarked in his recent column in Hindustan Times : ” Dhoni is a brilliant captain in the shorter versions of the game, and a master at timing his run to the finishing line as a middle-order batsman”.
All eyes are on Dhoni as India seek to recapture the World T20 trophy after a seven year wait.
