When Dhoni Lost the Plot

Vs West Indies,Roseau

(July 2011): The series was already won,and the shock around Dominica and the rest of the cricketing world when Dhoni decided to call the third Test off was palpable. The masters of the IPL required a mere 86 in 90 balls with seven wickets in hand,and Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman at the crease. Next in were MS Dhoni,Virat Kohli and Harbhajan Singh. Why Dhoni didn’t go for the win and give the full-house at Roseau a debut Test to remember was as puzzling as his eagerness to spread the field earlier in the match during the Shivnarine Chanderpaul-Kirk Edwards partnership,and also to Fidel Edwards later on.

Vs England,Lords

(July 2011): Despite conceding a lead of 188,Ishant had the hosts on the mat in the second innings at 72/5,at lunch on Day Four. Back to his best for the first time in over 12 months,Ishant had sent back Jonathan Trott,Kevin Pietersen and Ian Bell in a devastating spell of three for 15 in 13 overs. With Matt Prior and Eoin Morgan still new at the crease,Ishant looked set to run through England. Dhoni,however,started with Suresh Raina and Harbhajan Singh after lunch,and Ishant came on only 12 overs later. He immediately got rid off Morgan,though Prior was already well on his way to a match-winning century by then.

Vs Australia,Melbourne

(December 2011): India had gotten rid off Michael Hussey to leave Australia tottering at 197 for nine,246 runs ahead and having wrested the initiative. With the last pair at the crease,and James Pattinson batting on 9 off 51 balls,it was time for Dhoni to shut the door on the Australian innings. With Pattinson prepared to hang in,Dhoni inexplicably spread the field out,allowing the tailender,playing in just his third Test,spaces all over the field for singles and doubles. Unbeaten on 37,he added a crucial 43 runs for the last wicket. Losing the initiative,India was unsurprisngly bowled out plenty short in the chase.

Vs Australia,Sydney

(January 2012): Though Ponting and Clarke had looked solid,there was still enough on the SCG wicket for Zaheer Khan & Co as Australia resumed their innings at 116 for three,still 75 in arrears. But Dhoni started off with sweepers on both sides to Clarke. And with Zaheer bowling around the wicket,the Australian skipper kept tucking him away towards square-leg for singles,as the runs flowed at a steady pace. Clarke flourished,picking 38 singles,15 twos and five threes to the left and right of the fielder,and a match that stood on an even keel slipped away from India rather rapidly.