"When it works, they call MS Dhoni best finisher and if it doesn't, they jump on him" : Virat Kohli

[Abdullah719]

"When it works, they call MS Dhoni best finisher and if it doesn't, they jump on him" : Virat Kohli

New Delhi: India skipper Virat Kohli defended MS Dhoni's laboured batting after India succumbed to an 86-run defeat in the second ODI of the two-match ODI series at the Lord's on Saturday.

Dhoni managed 37 off 59 deliveries at a strike-rate of 62.7 and looked completely out-of-sorts during India's chase. Dhoni wasn't able to up the ante when it was needed the most as the visitors ended to be on the losing side, which helped the hosts level the series and force the match into decider.

In the post-match presentation, when asked about Dhoni's innings, Kohli said: "These things always come up whenever he isn't able to play the way he wants."

"People just wait to jump on him (Dhoni). When it works, they call him the best finisher and if it doesn't, they jump on him. Today (Saturday) was a bad day for all of us, not just him. He is experienced and the idea was to take it deep as you don't want to lose by 150-160 runs," the India skipper added.

Kohli also said that losing quick wickets after a good start pegged the India chase back a bit and eventually the pressure got the better of them as the task became harder with every dot ball.

"I think we started off well with the bat, it was a really good wicket to play on throughout the course of the game," Kohli said. "The wicket did slow up in the second half but when we lost wickets early, that's where we lost it," Kohli said

"You need wickets in hand during such chases, so when you lose early wickets, it's tough to recover. Wicket got slower but credit to their bowlers for executing their plans. These are games where you test the character of the guys."

Kohli also heaped praise on England's two spinners — Moeen Ali and Rashid Khan — and said that it was because of them, the hosts were able to create pressure on the Indian batting line-up.

"Both Moeen and Rashid sensed the opportunity, they are good bowlers and created pressure. If we hadn't lost early wickets, we might have been able to attack them more," Kohli said.

https://www.news18.com/cricketnext/...ends-ms-dhoni-after-lords-defeat-1812079.html

 

[BreadPakoda]

He is experienced and the idea was to take it deep as you don't want to lose by 150-160 runs

Happy to lose by 150 runs than see such ideas (MSD taking the game deep) failing to get executed.

 

[Ab Fan]

Ofcourse VK will say so. Dhoni is a legendary player but no one is bigger than cricket.

MSD has lost India a lot of matches in these last 4 years.

 

[The_Odd_One]

Best captain in the world ladies and gentlemen!

 

[Varun]

The Kohli post match and press conference should be ignored.

He couldn't have possibly said anything else and to be fair, has been put in an impossible position. PR will naturally take over.

 

[big_gamer007]

Kohli needs to understand people used to call him the best finisher when he was the best finisher.

Now he is past it and has not been finishing matches like he used to and is Moreno of a liability.. Sub continent players over stay there welcome due to the cult following and worshipping by their die hard fans.. Then a lot of their income is dependant on advertisements and if Dhoni retires he will lose some of that income so finance is also a factor..

Either ways more than anyone else it’s the people of the country who are to blame.. We are an emotional bunch and have always been emotional so we get these players turned into gods and the culture is embedded in entire cricketing establishment..

Not just cricket it is same in every aspect of life you see people Suicides over a corrupt leader like Jayalalitha or jumping in joy when a murderer like Salman gets bail for killing people..

Cricket is no different.

 

[Slim]

Kohli is right, indian fans are always waiting to jump on Dhoni.

 

[Rahul1]

Kohli needs to understand people used to call him the best finisher when he was the best finisher.

Now he is past it and has not been finishing matches like he used to and is Moreno of a liability.. Sub continent players over stay there welcome due to the cult following and worshipping by their die hard fans.. Then a lot of their income is dependant on advertisements and if Dhoni retires he will lose some of that income so finance is also a factor..

Either ways more than anyone else it’s the people of the country who are to blame.. We are an emotional bunch and have always been emotional so we get these players turned into gods and the culture is embedded in entire cricketing establishment..

Not just cricket it is same in every aspect of life you see people Suicides over a corrupt leader like Jayalalitha or jumping in joy when a murderer like Salman gets bail for killing people..

Cricket is no different.

Perfect. Absolutely nailed it. If i was a mod i will your post POTW.

 

[Slim]

Perfect. Absolutely nailed it. If i was a mod i will your post POTW.

Not really. A POTW post would have actually blamed the brittle middle order and indian fans for believing in their own self made hype.

 

[Rahul1]

Not really. A POTW post would have actually blamed the brittle middle order and indian fans for believing in their own self made hype.

I was talking specifically about the bold part.

 

[Ab Fan]

Not really. A POTW post would have actually blamed the brittle middle order and indian fans for believing in their own self made hype.

Middle order gets treatment if they fail. You haven't followed every single Indian match which is why you are saying so. The likes of Jadhav, Rahane are not in the playing XI at this point of time while Raina was already shown door back in 2015. Raina will be again shown door if he doesn't perform sooner.

Heck even Dhawan has been dropped at times even though he was POS in CT2013.

Dhoni has been losing India many matches since 2014/15 and there is no one else to take the blame for it.

It is not always possible that just for Dhoni, the rest of the 10 needs to keep performing every time. There will be 2-3 mediocre or out of form players in every XI. Also, Dhoni atleast should show intent while batting.

 

[Amirforpresident]

Has Rashid Khan switched nationality?

 

[big_gamer007]

Not really. A POTW post would have actually blamed the brittle middle order and indian fans for believing in their own self made hype.

The indian middle order is brittle everyone knows that.. What is the point stating the obvious when on a forum such as PP every cricket fan knows this.

The point was why is it brittle? Because we worship players and not drop them if they are over the hill. Australians retire when they think they can’t perform upto their standards however indian players carry on because of various reasons (endorsements being one of the biggest).. And our selectors don’t drop them because they were once part of the same system and fans still worship the players as gods and don’t care much about performance.

In an ideal world Dhoni should have retired after 2015 WC and we would have had 4 years to train a youngster TIL next World Cup.. It took kohli 5-6 years to be what he is today similarly with Rohit it took ages.. You needed to give youngsters time now you are stuck with liabilities such as raina and Dhoni.

Rahul has also just started getting permanent opportunities should have got before when we were busy playing Yuvi who was past it..

Either ways the best and worst part of our society/culture is that we are an emotional lot.. Its good also in some ways and bad in some ways e.g. when we let our ex players play for way longer than their expiry date because of the emotions we have with them.

 

[BlackShadow]

Virat's respect for Dhoni is making him blind.

 

[Mainul]

Is there any outside pressure on Kohli to say so in favor of Dhoni when it's such obvious that MSD is past his prime,his presence is haunting India and there is better option than Dhoni?

 

[BreadPakoda]

When was the last time it actually worked?

 

[Varun]

Is there any outside pressure on Kohli to say so in favor of Dhoni when it's such obvious that MSD is past his prime,his presence is haunting India and there is better option than Dhoni?

What else could Kohli have said, to be fair? Batting for a mythical ODI draw is not his personal style and yet for appearance's sake he had to defend his teammate.

In an ideal world, Nasser's question should have been something like:

Nasser: Have you locked down the places of your starting 11 / 13 for the World Cup next year including Dhoni, or is there still time for somebody new to come in just a year out?

Then Dhoni would have been in a spot, regardless of what Kohli answered, be it "No, Dhoni is here to stay", or "Yes, of course someone can come in if they put up their hands."

However, that was not to be.

 

[Nelson on]

Kohli is absolutely right. Indian fans have such short memories

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

It seems Dhoni will play in the 2023 World Cup as well.

 

[Hasan123]

Dhoni is being critzced for his poor performances. Obviously Kohli will back him in public but it's clear to see Dhoni is past his best.

 

[cricketindiafan]

When was the last time Dhoni pulled the team out of a hole playing a natch winning knock? May need to go back 3-4 years.

Someone in BCCI needs to give him a signal like Srikanth did with Ganguly in 2008 and Sandeep Patil did with Sachin in 2013. No one in selection committee has the guts to take on the deep rooted Dhoni mafia which now includes the team management. Someone like Ganguly or VVS should do that.

 

[Itachi]

So the idea was to lose by small margin rather than big margin.... But why? Its a bi lateral. What NRR will do?

 

[troodon]

When was the last time it worked?

Kohli supporting a pathetic innings shows what kind of captain he is.

 

[Brodipet_baadshah]

Better to drop dhoni and slotin Karthik for the final..but the only worry is the keeping part

 

[Itachi]

I'll prefer dhoni over karthik. If we go for mediocrity, then I'll chose dhoni over him.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

When was the last time it worked?

Kohli supporting a pathetic innings shows what kind of captain he is.

Kohli is a brand and he can't criticise another brand ie Dhoni in public. Just try to keep yourself in his position. No one has guts to criticise Dhoni. As long as he is fit enough to play he will keep getting selected.

Did you forget his press conference where he called one of the journalist and asked him 'do I not look fit to you?'. That was a clear indication that he will play till 2019 or may be 2023 World Cup as well.

 

[troodon]

Kohli is a brand and he can't criticise another brand ie Dhoni in public. Just try to keep yourself in his position. No one has guts to criticise Dhoni. As long as he is fit enough to play he will keep getting selected.

Did you forget his press conference where he called one of the journalist and asked him 'do I not look fit to you?'. That was a clear indication that he will play till 2019 or may be 2023 World Cup as well.

Dhoni has no shame left.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

I'll prefer dhoni over karthik. If we go for mediocrity, then I'll chose dhoni over him.

There is not much time left before the next world cup. Don't want to see Karthik either. I think there is no other choice than Dhoni now.

 

[Itachi]

There is not much time left before the next world cup. Don't want to see Karthik either. I think there is no other choice than Dhoni now.

It could be a risky call to try out a new one. But unless, dhoni gains his old self back (99.99% unlikely), can't see any harm giving a new lad a run for a bit.

With the experience that dhoni has, he can afford to miss a few matches.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

Kohli's right here.


PS: Damn MSD looks old:

Spoiler

 

[troodon]

It could be a risky call to try out a new one. But unless, dhoni gains his old self back (99.99% unlikely), can't see any harm giving a new lad a run for a bit.

With the experience that dhoni has, he can afford to miss a few matches.

For that you need to drop MSD and give the new Keeper a few matches. But we all know MSD is not going anywhere.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Kohli's right here.


PS: Damn MSD looks old:

Spoiler

He looks like a 42 year old man.

 

[MenInG]

Fails to finish the job!

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

)

Give a medal to these 2.

 

[Savak]

Need to respect Dhoni for his services to the country. Don't be ungrateful

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

Need to respect Dhoni for his services to the country. Don't be ungrateful

There are many players who have done great things for india but they are still fighting hard to earn a place back in this side, meanwhile dhoni is getting a free spot.
Yuvraj did training in america now he is playing ranji.
Gambhir playing ranji
Sehwagvretired without a retirement match.
While dhoni should get a free pass. Slow claps

 

[Ab Fan]

That SR of 88 isnt what we expect from players from this era who generally come to bat at 5-6.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

There are many players who have done great things for india but they are still fighting hard to earn a place back in this side, meanwhile dhoni is getting a free spot.
Yuvraj did training in america now he is playing ranji.
Gambhir playing ranji
Sehwagvretired without a retirement match.
While dhoni should get a free pass. Slow claps

Have you ever thought who is responsible for all this? How has Dhoni become so powerful that he can't be dropped?

 

[cricketindiafan]

After repeated failures, Dhoni retired from tests in the middle of test seriesin Australia before the last WC

We are touring Australia a few months before WC. Hopefully history repeats itself. That is the only way

 

[BlackShadow]

There are millions of dollars riding on Dhoni, and that to me explains why he is still in the side. Brand Dhoni is working it's magic $$$.

 

[rhony]

Dhoni's innings was key today. He just got out at the wrong time. He and DK stabilized the innings. You need experience for that

 

[Reyansh2017]

Most Shameless, disgusting, pathetic, scheming guy if there is one it would be this hack dhoni

 

[Joseph Gomes]

That SR of 88 isnt what we expect from players from this era who generally come to bat at 5-6.

I would gladly trade 10 runs from his average for +10 increase to strike rate. Dhoni's tuk tuk will cost India dearly in WC.

 

[troodon]

Dhoni's innings was key today. He just got out at the wrong time. He and DK stabilized the innings. You need experience for that

No offense, but it was BD bowling attack. If it was Aus or SA or Pak or even Eng, MSD will score 10(25) and gotten out. He is done and dusted. 2015 WC should have been his farewell time. But he is still shamelessly hanging on to the WK gloves as if there are no replacements for him.

We all saw what an attacking batsman like Pant can do in England final Test. We need that kind of batting down the order. Not the timid approach where he struggles to take singles and leaves the scoring on the likes of BK, Pandya etc.

 

[Reyansh2017]

Dhoni's innings was key today. He just got out at the wrong time. He and DK stabilized the innings. You need experience for that

Please stop man. U cannot post anymore rubbish supporting this pathetic individual

 

[cricketindiafan]

Dhoni's innings was key today. He just got out at the wrong time. He and DK stabilized the innings. You need experience for that

Sucking out the momentum by eating up balls is not stabilising the innings. Luts the opposition on top. Thankfully Jadhav came and scored run a ball before being injured else we were toast.

Dhoni has done the same for far too many times now. Should be sacked for that selfish innings along with Karthik. He's holding this team back through this method which is stale now.

 

[jeetu]

Dhoni's ODI average is just above 50. However in 2018 he has yet to score a single 50. His slump is alarming. I hope he retires now.

 

[fitCricFan]

Yeah, sadly, one of the greats of Indian cricket doesn't seem to be getting the message. MSD's batting has been on a downward slope for a while. He is now mostly a miss, sort of like Afridi in his final years.

India seriously needs to show him the door and groom a younger player. One thing that this bloke has been accumulating is cricketing wisdom and his astuteness in dealing with pressure. These are very unique traits and will impact the Indian team more when he goes

 

[shailee]

Dhoni's ODI average is just above 50. However in 2018 he has yet to score a single 50. His slump is alarming. I hope he retires now.

He won't retire. Infact he will bring few more CSK players in the team.

 

[cricketfanfirst]

Dhoni should walk the talk and quit now. He has been a great ODI captain for us and did wonderfully well in limited overs cricket but time has come for him to retire.

His plays sucks all the momentum and puts pressure on the others. His game has regressed over the past few years and he should hang his boots.

 

[Reyansh2017]

His chamchas will say he is needed for his drs, captaincy or any other excuse in the book to keep him in the side when ever his batting is questioned

I have never seen such a pathetic player play for india

 

[austerlitz]

Dhoni have some pride and show some shame.You are losing all the respect and legacy you built till now ...Plz retire.You deserve to be booted.

 

[Cric_lover4487]

I used to be Dhoni devotee back in 2010 but I guess he has become too political and selfish for his own good. Just like Sachin, he is using his PR, media contacts to keep himself relevant. He is unable to realise how pathetic is to watch him play and call it a day. Ironially, he dumped Sehwag, Gambhir, Laxman unceremoniously. I can now understand by no ex teammate of him likes him as a friend. He is a very cunning person. I have lost respect for him at the end of his career.

 

[Reyansh2017]

I used to be Dhoni devotee back in 2010 but I guess he has become too political and selfish for his own good. Just like Sachin, he is using his PR, media contacts to keep himself relevant. He is unable to realise how pathetic is to watch him play and call it a day. Ironially, he dumped Sehwag, Gambhir, Laxman unceremoniously. I can now understand by no ex teammate of him likes him as a friend. He is a very cunning person. I have lost respect for him at the end of his career.

Thousand recommends for this comment

 

[docteurmanish]

pension do aur retire karo

pooja mat karo

 

[Saj]

MS Dhoni has been a brilliant servant for Indian cricket but perhaps it's time to call it a day. Last 12 months in ODIs:
Innings 18
Runs 386
Fifties 1
Hundreds 0
Average 27.57

 

[troodon]

Dhoni should walk the talk and quit now. He has been a great ODI captain for us and did wonderfully well in limited overs cricket but time has come for him to retire.

His plays sucks all the momentum and puts pressure on the others. His game has regressed over the past few years and he should hang his boots.

MSD will not retire. He needs to be booted out like how selectors have to do to Kapil, Gavaskar, Sachin.... These guys don't retire. To them, they are still Gods of cricket.

Until selectors show the door, MSD will not leave.

 

[jeetu]

MSD will not retire. He needs to be booted out like how selectors have to do to Kapil, Gavaskar, Sachin.... These guys don't retire. To them, they are still Gods of cricket.

Until selectors show the door, MSD will not leave.

Gavaskar was still quality player when he retired. Sachin and Kapil should have retired 2 years earlier then they did.

 

[charlie007]

So how do you measure the utility of a man such as Dhoni? How do you quantify his contribution to the Indian cause? To me, it is not just the number of runs that he scores or the strike rate at which he scores. You also need to look at the stability that he brings to the team. What about the split second stumpings or run-outs that he effects - how many runs are they worth? How confident are you that the new keeper can do that - for that matter those keepers have played for India as well as their respective teams and how many have we seen to be at Dhoni's keeping level?
There are more factors than just batting strike rates that matter when you talk about a multi-faceted cricketer like Dhoni. Ponder over it.

 

[Joseph Gomes]

I used to be Dhoni devotee back in 2010 but I guess he has become too political and selfish for his own good. Just like Sachin, he is using his PR, media contacts to keep himself relevant. He is unable to realise how pathetic is to watch him play and call it a day. Ironially, he dumped Sehwag, Gambhir, Laxman unceremoniously. I can now understand by no ex teammate of him likes him as a friend. He is a very cunning person. I have lost respect for him at the end of his career.

His legacy is forever tarnished. No redemption for him now. Wasting a spot for 4 years is unforgivable. No matter how or when he ends his career, people won't forget how he overstayed in the team by manipulation of power.

 

[axis]

Dhoni was probably never that good as he was made out to be.. he was always lucky, but bowlers world over have worked him out now.. his honeymoon period is over, and his patchy technique has finally been exposed.

 

[Cric_lover4487]

So how do you measure the utility of a man such as Dhoni? How do you quantify his contribution to the Indian cause? To me, it is not just the number of runs that he scores or the strike rate at which he scores. You also need to look at the stability that he brings to the team. What about the split second stumpings or run-outs that he effects - how many runs are they worth? How confident are you that the new keeper can do that - for that matter those keepers have played for India as well as their respective teams and how many have we seen to be at Dhoni's keeping level?
There are more factors than just batting strike rates that matter when you talk about a multi-faceted cricketer like Dhoni. Ponder over it.

"Ghanta" stability. Only thing he brings is lethargy and overbearing presence on the field. If i was Kuldeep i would find it disrespectful that Dhoni is needed in team because he advises the young players on the field. As if, Kuldeep n co. don't have any brains of their own. Iits better if he stays as a mentor in team management rather than blocking path of young players. For a batsman, runs and strike rate SHOULD BE THE ONLY criteria for someone to stay in the team or not. Everything else "oh he is a senior" blah blah is just PR manipulation exercise. Some of biggest names in Indian cricket: Sehwag, Laxman, Dravid, Gambhir, Sehwag, Yuvi all of them were dumped unceremoniously. Mind you all of them have contributed much more than Dhoni. I think he got inspired by Sachin. Sachin gave political statements like its selfish to retire at top, i want to serve the "country". Media lapped him up that he is essential for young players. India lost 11 test matches, he dragged on for 2 years to score his selfish match losing 100th century vs Bangladesh. After a point i realized its all about $$$ for players. Greed has no limit. Last thing left to see Dhoni doing dandiya on field when India is 28/3 down while chasing 300 in WC19 semi final. Is Dhoni as big as Sachin?. Like Really?

 

[charlie007]

"Ghanta" stability. Only thing he brings is lethargy and overbearing presence on the field. If i was Kuldeep i would find it disrespectful that Dhoni is needed in team because he advises the young players on the field. As if, Kuldeep n co. don't have any brains of their own. Iits better if he stays as a mentor in team management rather than blocking path of young players. For a batsman, runs and strike rate SHOULD BE THE ONLY criteria for someone to stay in the team or not. Everything else "oh he is a senior" blah blah is just PR manipulation exercise. Some of biggest names in Indian cricket: Sehwag, Laxman, Dravid, Gambhir, Sehwag, Yuvi all of them were dumped unceremoniously. Mind you all of them have contributed much more than Dhoni. I think he got inspired by Sachin. Sachin gave political statements like its selfish to retire at top, i want to serve the "country". Media lapped him up that he is essential for young players. India lost 11 test matches, he dragged on for 2 years to score his selfish match losing 100th century vs Bangladesh. After a point i realized its all about $$$ for players. Greed has no limit. Last thing left to see Dhoni doing dandiya on field when India is 28/3 down while chasing 300 in WC19 semi final. Is Dhoni as big as Sachin?. Like Really?

To start with, I did not compare Dhoni with anyone. But since you put in names, let's talk about Tendulkar. His utility was only as a batsman where you could measure his contributions through the number of runs he scored. Dhoni is also a keeper, and among the ATG keepers we have had, and THE BEST stumper ever. While you ranted for a big long paragraph, you did not answer my question:
What about the split second stumpings or run-outs that he effects - how many runs are they worth? Can you even quantify that? For a multi-dimensional player such as Dhoni, and for that matter anyone with multiple skill sets, basically an all-rounder, you need to have more than one criteria to measure their contribution and worth. So stop giving childish opinionated answers and give me a quantifiably justifiable answer.

 

[Cric_lover4487]

To start with, I did not compare Dhoni with anyone. But since you put in names, let's talk about Tendulkar. His utility was only as a batsman where you could measure his contributions through the number of runs he scored. Dhoni is also a keeper, and among the ATG keepers we have had, and THE BEST stumper ever. While you ranted for a big long paragraph, you did not answer my question:
What about the split second stumpings or run-outs that he effects - how many runs are they worth? Can you even quantify that? For a multi-dimensional player such as Dhoni, and for that matter anyone with multiple skill sets, basically an all-rounder, you need to have more than one criteria to measure their contribution and worth. So stop giving childish opinionated answers and give me a quantifiably justifiable answer.

You make me laugh. For your knowledge, all stumping are done in split second unless someone charge down the wicket and misses the ball. Dhoni is a safe wicket keeper but it is not like he is/was Rajnikant and can stump anyone anytime he wants. If you talk about catching than i have never seen him taking blinders like Gilchrist, Boucher n co. Runout belong to the fielder, not the keeper. His reaction time is as good as any other keeper on this planet. Bihari swag does't make you better than anyone else. He was a great finisher during his prime in LOI, thats it. He is a liability on this team and would have lost us this game also if he didn't got out.

 

[RamLakhan]

This is the right time to apply pressure on Dhoni (media and fans). The way he has batted in this most favorable conditions (UAE pitches) is an indication that he is done! This is the right time to groom Pant and make him play for WC (Australian & NZ tour are enough to prepare him!) His latest superb knock against top test team in their own den is enough to justify his spot! His wicket-keeping will also improve after these two overseas tours, no need to worry about that. You don't need sharp stumping skills for this world cup (He may learn that as well in future by the time next world cup comes in India!) Dhoni (and Shastri & Kohli) will be unforgivable if he costs us this world cup. 2 World Cup losses > 1 World Cup victory in home conditions! Dhoni can still be in the squad as some kind of supporting staff/non playing captain - Indian team management/BCCI should introduce this new kind of thing in Cricket! That's all what the team needs from his so-called experience (There is a famous saying in Kannada language - "Hosa neeru bandhaga hale neeru haridhu hoguvudhu sahaja!" which means when fresh water comes old water has to flow away on its own!)

India should go with 3 seamers + Pandya + Jadeja/Jadhav + Kuldeep/Chahal combination for WC (they will be doomed if they play Pandya as 3rd seamer & play both Kuldeep/Chahal which weakens their tail) To provide good balance to the team Dhoni has to go (He did the same thing to Sehwag I guess, and even Gambhir! So should not employ double standards now! He has his IPL/CSK to continue his legacy!)

 

[cricketfanfirst]

MSD will not retire. He needs to be booted out like how selectors have to do to Kapil, Gavaskar, Sachin.... These guys don't retire. To them, they are still Gods of cricket.

Until selectors show the door, MSD will not leave.

Actually Sunny was in brilliant form during the last two years in both test and odis. His SR also improved in ODIs during that time, he retired when he was still at his peak and after scoring one of the greatest innings of all time on an unplayable pitch.

Agree with Kapil and Sachin. They played at least couple of more years than they should have. Specially, Sachin should have retired after 2011 world cup victory. All that 100 International centuries build up was made by media and others and he dragged on unnecessarily. It was painful to watch such an amazing batsman play so poorly, during his final players. Sachin has always been my favourite player but I cannot support his decision to continue to play even after he lost his touch. I have never seen a more complete, orthodox and all round batsman than Sachin, but he dragged on and tarnished his legacy. It was really painful to watch your hero play mediocre cricket.

Dhoni is sailing in the same boat now, he has become a liability and you can make out easily that he is finding it very hard to score runs freely at any stage of the match. Age/reflexes ultimate catch up. Dhoni has to do self introspection and analyze his statements made in the past regarding aging players/form and his own now, but then again that is not going to happen in Indian cricket.

In India, we have strong influence of media lobby and they build the narrative for the players. Lots of money rides on these top players, and media/PR play a significant role in running the narrative.

We can see how lowkey and unceremonious was Laxman's exit/retirement, even though he contributed to some of the most memorable wins for us. More or less the same was the case with Sehwag, and to an extent Dravid's as well.

 

[cricketfanfirst]

To start with, I did not compare Dhoni with anyone. But since you put in names, let's talk about Tendulkar. His utility was only as a batsman where you could measure his contributions through the number of runs he scored. Dhoni is also a keeper, and among the ATG keepers we have had, and THE BEST stumper ever. While you ranted for a big long paragraph, you did not answer my question:
What about the split second stumpings or run-outs that he effects - how many runs are they worth? Can you even quantify that? For a multi-dimensional player such as Dhoni, and for that matter anyone with multiple skill sets, basically an all-rounder, you need to have more than one criteria to measure their contribution and worth. So stop giving childish opinionated answers and give me a quantifiably justifiable answer.

It seems you did not see Nayan Mongia keep, he was better than Dhoni when it came to stumpings, specially to our spinners on turning tracks. Also, Sadanand Viswanath was lighteningly quick as a keeper, unfortunately he was not able to fulfill his promise and quickly faded away after few seasons.

Dhoni is a very safe wicket keeper and not an all time great wicket keeper, his keeping style is unorthodox and unique. Someone like Saha is a classical keeper but not Dhoni. Dhoni is a very effective keeper but not the best.

 

[happydavy]

Dhoni was probably never that good as he was made out to be.. he was always lucky, but bowlers world over have worked him out now.. his honeymoon period is over, and his patchy technique has finally been exposed.

10-12 years of massive success is not honeymoon period but a lifelong marriage, in terms of cricketing career.

 

[Chrish]

He should pull Cook and bow down or else gonna cost 2019 WC to his team.

But he is kinda like sachin; too powerful to be done anything by the selectors

 

[charlie007]

It seems you did not see Nayan Mongia keep, he was better than Dhoni when it came to stumpings, specially to our spinners on turning tracks. Also, Sadanand Viswanath was lighteningly quick as a keeper, unfortunately he was not able to fulfill his promise and quickly faded away after few seasons.

Dhoni is a very safe wicket keeper and not an all time great wicket keeper, his keeping style is unorthodox and unique. Someone like Saha is a classical keeper but not Dhoni. Dhoni is a very effective keeper but not the best.

Oh, I have seen Syed Kirmani keep too, leave alone S Viswanath and the later ones. Nobody comes close to Dhoni on stumpings, not remotely close.

 

[BaankeJi]

Dhoni's continuation as a player is a damnation for selectors and the system as a whole,not for Dhoni himself. Dhoni will not unselect himself. Indian team does not have to bear his burden.
I think he is in the team because he helps Kohli with tactics and that's the reason Kohli does not want to let him go.

 

[charlie007]

You make me laugh. For your knowledge, all stumping are done in split second unless someone charge down the wicket and misses the ball. Dhoni is a safe wicket keeper but it is not like he is/was Rajnikant and can stump anyone anytime he wants. If you talk about catching than i have never seen him taking blinders like Gilchrist, Boucher n co. Runout belong to the fielder, not the keeper. His reaction time is as good as any other keeper on this planet. Bihari swag does't make you better than anyone else. He was a great finisher during his prime in LOI, thats it. He is a liability on this team and would have lost us this game also if he didn't got out.

Laugh all you want, but I’m sure you got what I said … not all split seconds are equal. He is by far the best stumper I have seen, and I have seen keepers going back to Kirmani, Waseem Bari, and Rod Marsh.
He’s a pretty reliable catcher too, unlike any other we have waiting in the wings.

 

[BreadPakoda]

Dhoni's continuation as a player is a damnation for selectors and the system as a whole,not for Dhoni himself. Dhoni will not unselect himself. Indian team does not have to bear his burden.
I think he is in the team because he helps Kohli with tactics and that's the reason Kohli does not want to let him go.

Then let's make Dhoni the coach or something. Hand him some $ for that. Let Shastri also earn 9cr per year for motivating. I don't mind that. But we need to field our best XI fgs!

 

[BaankeJi]

Then let's make Dhoni the coach or something. Hand him some $ for that. Let Shastri also earn 9cr per year for motivating. I don't mind that. But we need to field our best XI fgs!

Someone needs to tell this to Kohli.

 

[WengerOut]

Then let's make Dhoni the coach or something. Hand him some $ for that. Let Shastri also earn 9cr per year for motivating. I don't mind that. But we need to field our best XI fgs!

But then he will be accountable for team performance. Current position is safe regardless of performance.

 

[BreadPakoda]

But then he will be accountable for team performance. Current position is safe regardless of performance.

Makes sense.

Dhoni can offer DRS coaching, field placement coaching, how to deflect balls to the stumps etc.
If a strategist cum non-performing player is ok to have, let's rope in Ganguly in the XI as well and let's have Zaheer Khan guide our pacers.