MS Dhoni played his 89th Test at the Gabba, his 59th as Indian captain.
But rookie Australian skipper Steve Smith out-played and out-thought the veteran to win the second Test by 48 runs a day early.
What a stunning debut for the 25-year-old playing only his 24th Test.
Especially as Dhoni held all the cards after the first day having won the toss. At stumps India were 4-311 with Ajinka Rahane on 75, and Rohit Sharma 26, with Dhoni and Ravi Ashwin still to bat.
A first dig total of a big 500-plus was on the cards for the tourists.
But Dhoni lost control as the rookie tightened the screws during the second day.
Not only did Smith take a blinder of a second slip catch, diving low to his right with an out-stretched right hand, but his 133 was the launching pad for a massive late order revival.
Mitchell Johnson clubbed an even ball 88, Mitchell Starc 52, Nathan Lyon 23, and debutant paceman Josh Hazlewood an unbeaten 32, to lead India by 97.
Smith was in total control, and even had a smile when Indian paceman Ishant Sharma told him to “f-off” after Smith had chopped the delivery onto his stumps.
Seeing Smith had peeled of a career-high 162 not out, an unbeaten 52, and 133 in this series for an average of 347, Sharma made a right royal goose of himself, giving the Australian skipper the ultimate marching order.
But the Sharma farewell was in keeping with his captain.
Dhoni had also made a goose of himself trying to bounce the Australian tail, but all of them can hook and pull, so the tactic blew up in Dhoni’s face.
And Dhoni added to his self-inflicted pain at the post-match media conference by complaining about umpire’s decisions, and the state of the practice wickets at the Gabba.
Dhoni is no dunce, but he made an even bigger goose of himself by saying there were too many 50-50 umpiring decisions that went against India, and the reason for the defeat.
That criticism was laughable.
Dhoni should demand those in charge of Indian cricket, the BCCI, sign off on the DRS. Seeing the ICC hasn’t the bottle to tell India to do anything, at least the Indians would get a fair shake if the DRS was operating.
Dhoni’s criticism of the practice wickets were damned when Steve Smith praised them, adding the wickets were a true indication of how the centre played.
So where to from here for the Boxing Day Test at the MCG?
Australia lead 2-0 in the four Test series, and unless Dhoni adopts the Smith captaincy style, India will be whitewashed 4-0.
Dhoni’s style is he would rather draw than lose chasing a win.
Smith’s style is to go for the win from the very first ball.
India’s side cannot be stronger than the one on duty at the Gabba, but their abilities can be better deployed by Dhoni.
Smith will have another debutant in Queensland batsman Joe Burns, replacing the hamstrung Mitchell Marsh.
Burns has loads of talent – he’s averaging 54.87 this season – and loves facing the quicks. Smith may well slot him in at three, and drop Shane Watson down the list to five or six, especially as Watson will have more bowling responsibilities than in the past.
Talking bowlers, the most dependable Ryan Harris is likely to return from injury. This will greatly increase Smith’s firepower.
Josh Hazlewood’s here to stay after his seven-wicket debut haul at the Gabba, which means Starc will be yet another casualty to carry the drinks.
There’s more good news for Smith on the pace front.
Expressman Pat Cummings, on another comeback trail, touched 150 clicks last night for Sydney Thunder in the BBL, and James Pattinson made a successful comeback in Melbourne’s district cricket at the weekend.
It’s fast approaching an embarrassment of pace selection riches if Johnson, Harris, Hazlewood, Starc, Siddle, Cummins,and Pattinson are all fit and in-form.
The same applies to former Test batsmen Ed Cowan and Adam Voges, the two leading run-getters in this season’s Sheffield Shield.
Cowan’s scored 590 runs at 65.55 with four centuries, Voges 509 at 101.80 with three tons and a half-century.
That all adds up to increasing depth in Australian cricket and spells even more trouble for India at the MCG next Friday.
Don Freo
Guest
Watson's average is not much different to Kohli's...yet people rave about Kohli. Dhoni is worse and they rave about him. If you don't like someone, don't like them....but don't pretend it is a cricket reason.
Joel
Roar Rookie
I watched a one day game in India where Kohli and Dhawan were mocking and mimicking a player who was hobbling with a leg injury. Absolutely disgraceful.
Joel
Roar Rookie
so if Dhawan went out to bat and got out first ball of the day, would that have been any different? It is a silly defense by Dhoni, too many excuses. If he wants to blame someone, he should blame Rohit Sharma for making MJ angry.. that was when the match turned.
Joel
Roar Rookie
Rumour is that Dhoni will quit tests after the WC is over next year, and that Kholi captained at Adelaide to see if he had the goods once that happens. The gravy train may be there but you if you understood the intense level of scrutiny on the Indian captains from media and the public in India you would understand why he would want to stand down. Aus media is positively complimentary in comparison.
Joel
Roar Rookie
I would hope the selectors have learned their lessons bringing in newbies and putting them straight in at 3. Burns will bat at 6, Watson at 3. No doubt pressure is mounting on Watson to score runs but his bowling in Brisbane was really good and really tight. I would hope that Burns scores heavily in Melbourne and put pressure on the selectors to pick one all rounder instead of both.
Performance first
Guest
David some good comments but the only real issue for the Australian team is the issue of jobs for mates, personified in Watson. Border, Waugh, Ponting - they all came under heavy pressure when out of form.....but not Watson. Whose mate is he? What a disgrace to the baggy green. 50 tests at 36, you would think we were the English team. Disgrace -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Don Freo
Guest
I have found Dharwan's attitude to be argumentative and churlish each time I see him play. Full of mouth, buying into arguments that are not his then, when he was really needed, pikes it because he had a bruise. Michael Clarke bats with an injury and scores a ton...and fields while injured...just to show what competitiveness is about. Dharwan cries and tells Dhoni to make an excuse about practice wickets. India cannot be competitive while they allow weak players like Dharwan to back out whenever it gets tough. Jonathon Trott all over again.
Clavers
Guest
Good article. I think you missed one more goosey contribution by Dhoni tough, when he complained that his number 4 batsman only had five minutes' notice that Dharwan was badly hurt and wouldn't be able to bat at the start of play. First, it's Dhoni's responsibility as captain to communicate with his players and manage any required changes in the batting order. He chose to have a net himself twenty minutes before the start of play, and he can blame nobody else for that. Second, even if Dhawan had been fit to go out and bat at the start of play he could have been dismissed first ball, so the number 4 had the responsibility to be ready to go in at 11:01am anyway.
Nudge
Guest
Can't say I'm missing him APIO. Heard Lehmann yesterday James say that Marsh will travel to Melbourne with squad, and the way he was talking is that he will more than likely play Sydney
jameswm
Guest
Nudge is MMarsh back for the 4th test? I assumed he was out for the series.
Another Pom in Oz
Guest
I haven't heard from your mate (SFL) for a while, Nudge. You must be missing him... :p
Craig Watson
Guest
Spot on Nudge. I agree word for word. The only point I have reservation over is throwing Burns into the vital number three position in his first test might just be a little too much to ask of him. Callum Ferguson has to be next in line.
Craig Watson
Guest
Who is saying Smith will bat at six you must have misread the post?
Mickyt
Guest
Dhoni is clipping the enormous gravy money train. As if he will retire. And I don't think anyone will make him stand down from the powers that be. His second innings shot was worse than Watson's dismissal and that is saying something. Kholi was terrific in Adelaide.
Nudge
Guest
I think they will go Rogers Warner Burns Smith Marsh Watson Can't see the point in easing Burns into 6 when Mitch Marsh is going to come back in next test at 6. What it means is that if Watson doesn't score runs next test his test career is over, because I can't see them dropping Burns unless he fails and Watson scores runs. Sydney test the team will look like this if Watson fails in Melbourne. Warner Rogers Burns Smith S. Marsh M. Marsh Pretty sure the selectors will give Shaun Marsh the rest of series and if he fails that's another career finished.
jameswm
Guest
Sorry I meant at 3. Or 6 for that matter...
Darshan Kawar
Roar Pro
It is a well known fact that Dhoni's overseas test record as captain is nothing to speak of. As a captain, his team was whitewashed in Australia, England and again in current series as well(looks like it). As these results had led and claimed that he is not an astute, pro-active and attacking captain in tests, as he is in limited format. So, its a no-brainer that Smith has outplayed Dhoni as captain. Even Cook has done it and Clarke too.
jameswm
Guest
No way Smith will bat at 6 this test. There's a chance they'll slot Burs in at 3, but most likely Watto will bat at 3 again and Burns will be eased in at 6. Also remember - Smith picks the batting order.
spruce moose
Guest
No, it won't be cruel. It will be justified and fair.
Steele
Guest
Ruminate, I don't think six tests is in order. India prob need to win one to warrant that. They may be more competitive this time but the scoreline is the same as usual. Yes Australia were even more ordinary over there, however atleast the Aussies have won a series away from home. India currently have one away win from their last twenty one tests. The wickets here are a little more sporting as well when you look at an Adlaide pitch. Opening the inn