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Journalism of Courage
India beat Pakistan in comprehensive fashion in the World Cup opener, but skipper MS Dhoni’s form remains a concern for the defending champions. It is not an alien place for the Ranchi Dasher. He was in a similar zone during the 2011 edition, but came out all guns blazing when it mattered – the final against Sri Lanka.
Dhoni, the captain, ticked all boxes against Pakistan, but Dhoni, the batsman, struggled to check even one. It has been five months since Dhoni scored a fifty in the shorter format. Yes, he didn’t get to bat on most occasions but even when he did, failed to make an impression.
It is extremely difficult to decode Dhoni’s style of batsmanship. He charges to a ball any normal batsman would shoulder arms to, hooks a delivery worth a duck and smokes a length which deserves a back-foot defence. While a career batting average of 52.07 makes a very impressive read, the ten-point dip to 44.36 in the last 14 months does force cricket experts to put the thinking hat on.
The ODI series against the West Indies didn’t give him much time in the middle due to top-heavy contributions, the tri-series involving Australia and England seemed ideal for captain cool to be back among the runs. That, however, didn’t happen as the skipper could only manage disappointing scores of 19, 34 and 17.
The fatigue can’t be a valid defence for Dhoni as he missed the opening Test, and announced retirement before the fourth. He was the only Indian cricketer to have had a lot of time away from the game. What is it then? Technique? Mental block? World Cup pressure?
Let’s address them one at a time:
Technique: There is no method to Dhoni’s madness. He has his own style to counter the best in the business. But the best just became smarter. Off late, it has been observed that teams operate to a plan when it comes to bowling to Dhoni.
In the recently concluded tri-series, both English and Australian bowlers stuck to a good length spot right outside his off-stump. This line, and length, do not allow Dhoni to get under the ball or dispatch it sitting pretty on the back-foot. As many as 46% of the deliveries faced by Dhoni in the tri-nation were in the same zone.
Mental block: It’s not easy to lead the team of a country as cricket-crazy as India. There’s enough encouragement but when the losses continue to pile up, the last place one would want to be is the captain’s seat. From Supreme Court verdicts to overseas losses, Dhoni has been barraged with questions day after day, match after match.
Apart from the little break he got during the series Down Under, Dhoni has played everything on the roster. There was plenty of home encouragement and even more of away embarrassment. Too much cricket or too much pressure? One of the two is definitely affecting Dhoni, the batsman.
World Cup pressure: This might well be his last appearance at the mega event. In a career spanning over more than a decade now, he has achieved everything. But who doesn’t want more? If he is able to lift the Cup Down Under, Dhoni’s name would be inscribed in golden letters and feature in the opening chapter of Indian cricket’s glorious history.
Quick fact: Only Clive Llyod and Ricky Ponting have led teams to two World Cups. Dhoni can well be third. Elite company…
