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This is an archive article published on December 16, 2008

Dhoni will be tested overseas, say former greats

Real exam of Mahendra Dhoni's mettle would be the overseas Test series, feel former India cricketers.

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Flamboyant skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni might have led Team India to number of success stories, including clinching the Twenty20 world cup title, but the real exam of his mettle would be the overseas Test series, feel former India cricketers.

“Dhoni has all the ingredients to be the best captain but it is too early to judge him. If he keeps up this rate of success, he will surely be amongst the greats,” former Test captain and ex-selection panel chief Dilip Vengsarkar said.

Mahinder Amarnath, who was a part of the ‘Kapil’s Devils’ who clinched World Cup in 1983, also insisted that overseas Test series going to be the litmus test for Dhoni.

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“Dhoni always lead from the front and is doing a good job. But I won’t say that he is the best captain we ever had. His real test will be on overseas series, where the team will have to negotiate different pitches and conditions,” Amarnath said.

Under Dhoni, who hails from Ranchi, Team India have won all the four Test matches he has led till date, besides pocketing some memorable ODI wins.

“He has the right blend of youth and experienced players in his squad. He has gelled with them quite nicely,” Amarnath added.

On India’s recent victory in the first Test against England, the veteran cricketer said: “After the first innings of Chennai Test I thought that his honeymoon period is over, but Team India managed to come out of that difficult situation to clinch victory.”

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Hailing Dhoni’s men for drafting the six-wicket win over England in Chennai on Monday, Vengsarkar insisted that now perching on the top slot of the ICC ranking is only a matter of time for them.

“If the Indian team keep performing like this, we are soon going to be number one. But for that to happen we must keep the momentum going,” he said.

Even a 1-0 win in the two-match Test series against England would help India to become second top side in the ICC ranking, displacing South Africa.

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