Opinion: MS Dhoni and India's big 2019 World Cup decision
Has there ever been a player who has faced more criticism than got recognition after scoring 193 in three innings, scoring 50 in every game, being present at the crease at the end of both victories and winning the man of the series award?
Well, this is what happened to Mahendra Singh Dhoni in India's victories effort in Australia. Despite the team's victory and Dhoni's key role in it, social media and some experts were not happy with the former Indian Captain. Despite him accumulating runs, his style of batting and strike rate did not please many. A lot of people continue to raise questions about whether he deserves a place in the side on merit going into the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup and which batting position he should bat at.
Are the concerns valid?
While the criticism is surely over the top, it is fair to say the concerns about Dhoni going into the World Cup are there for a reason. Quite evidently, the 37-year old is not the same player he once used to be. This is something that should not really surprise anyone as the greatest in any sport do not stay at their peak forever. However, a player can still be more than useful for a team in such circumstances and that is the question India need to ask with Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Declining abilities
In his early days, there was hardly a batsman as destructive and flamboyant as Dhoni. After he became captain, very few were responsible and better at the art of finishing and chasing than him. History books are sure to remember him as one of the greatest to play the shorter formats. However, over the past few years, he has failed to be as effective. Since the 2015 World Cup, Dhoni's averages 44.45 in comparison to a career average of 50.81. The bigger concern lies with his strike rate in the period of 80.52. In modern One Day International Cricket, that stat is a definite concern for a player batting in the lower middle order.
The Problems
While Dhoni's average of 44.45 is lower by his standards, it still more than decent for a player batting in his position. However, it is his recent form that has caused panic in Indian fans. In the whole of last year, Dhoni did not score a single half-century. It is no secret that 2018 was a terrible year for the former Indian Captain as he only scored 275 runs in 20 matches at an average of only 25. His strike rate feels to a record low of 71.42 through the course of the year.
While his performances in Australia will ease anxiety about his form, there are still concerns that remain about him. The big problem as indicated above with his dwindling strike rate. Over the last three years, England has redefined batting in one day cricket with some hard-hitting and regular scores of 350+. It will be very surprising if pitches at the World Cup are not made for such kind of cricket. It is imperative that middle order batsman is playing at a fast rate.
A big reason Dhoni's strike rate problems are his inability to get going from the start. These days the Indian wicketkeeper generally requires a little time on the crease before hitting the big shots. Another issue that has cropped into his game is an increased dot ball percentage and the inability to rotate the strike efficiently especially against spinners. At times, this can build pressure on his partner and force them to take risks.
Is he a liability?
A section of Indian fans has now started to wonder whether Dhoni is a liability to the team. His performances in Australia speak for themselves and clearly show that he is still capable of winning matches for the team. His high standards once saw Indian fans not worry about a run chase if he was still at the crease no matter how tough the situation. While that might not still be the case nor he might be as good as before, he is still a more than a useful member of the team.
Over the last couple of years, Dhoni's place in India's World Cup Squad has been the favorite discussion of the cricket community. While hotly debated on national TV and social media, the people who matter have barely shown any interest in not having him in the team. The action and words of captain Virat Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri have only shown the team's unconditional loyalty to India's most successful captain. Ultimately, it is their opinion that matters and one can only trust their judgment.
Their trust in Dhoni is not without reason. Despite losing a bit of ability, Dhoni still offers a lot to the team. While his failings in 2018 are highlighted, Dhoni did score 788 runs at an average of 60.62 in 2017. Another reason behind India wanting their former captain in the team is his ability to handle a crisis. At times when the batting collapses, there is hardly anyone better to have at the crease than him. This capability is something Dhoni still possesses and has shown over the last couple of years. Be it his century against England at Cuttack, the famous partnership with Bhuvneshwar Kumar at Pallekele against Sri Lanka, rescuing the innings against Australia at Chepauk and Sri Lanka at Dharamshala or more recently in Sydney when India found themselves at 4-3.
While the energy and enthusiasm of youth is something everyone cherishes, one should not forget that in a tournament like the World Cup experience will count for a lot. Nobody in the Indian team has it more than a player who has led India to three different ICC trophies. In a tough situation in a game with high stakes, there is still no player the team can trust more than Dhoni apart from Virat Kohli.
Despite his age, Dhoni is still one of the fittest players in the team. Barely anyone runs faster than him between the wickets. As a wicketkeeper, he is still as good as he ever was. His leadership advice is something Virat Kohli clearly values a lot.
Batting position
However, the big question revolves around Dhoni's batting position. For most parts of his career, the team could virtually trust him to bat anywhere. Number six is the position he has played the most in through the course of his career having played there 126 times. As Captain, Dhoni preferred to bat there to allow younger players to bat higher up the order and allow himself to bat in pressure situations.
What is Dhoni's ideal position then? This still remains for debate. On the basis of evidence, it does not look like the team management has made up their mind either. After the first game, vice-captain Rohit Sharma said that he wants Dhoni to bat at four while after the conclusion of the series Virat Kohli commented that he believes number five to be his best position
While batting position will change according to situations, it is important for India to establish his role and decide his position and team combination according to that. It is evident that Dhoni's role will be to play anchor and keep an end safe. In such a situation, India will be better off surrounding Dhoni with players who have the ability to accelerate and get going from the first ball. The likes of Dinesh Karthik, Kedar Jadhav, and Rishabh Pant fit the billing. While Ambati Rayudu is someone who has impressed in limited opportunities, it is hard to justify playing both him and Dhoni in the same middle order as they have similar characteristics
Dhoni is likely to continue to divide opinions till the World Cup. When a great player is at the end of his career, this is a common theme. The debates are not going to end but it is almost certain that Dhoni will board the flight to England in May. Whether or not India reap the rewards of the decision or live to regret it is something only time will tell.