MS Dhoni is one of the greats of the game.
A great Indian captain, a fantastic limited overs batsman and a great wicketkeeper, Dhoni has been one of the pillars of Indian batting since his debut 14 years ago and has been one of the best finishers the game has ever seen.
Scoring over 10,000 ODI runs at an impressive average of 50, his batting form in recent times has gone south very quickly.
While batting at number six, he struggles to up the ante and has not been able to control chases like he used to.
This decline shows in his stats for the year. Averaging only 28.12 with a strike rate of 67.36, the genial batsmen has himself admitted his waning prowess when he said he lost the ability to rotate the strike.
The problem now for India, with just a few months to go until the World Cup, is the pressure being put on their top five.
Without Dhoni to hold the middle order that stretch looks vunerable for the near future.
A mixed ODI series against England and the recent Asia cup show how India struggle when the top three get dismissed.
Since the beginning of 2018 Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli have scored the majority of India’s ODI runs while the rest have mostly struggled. Ambati Rayudu has done okay after his comeback, but his sample size is small.
Although having a decent average, a strike rate of only 73.56 hurts Dinesh Karthik and strong middle order batsman Shreyas Iyer finds himself out of favour for no apparent reason.
Even though they have been one of the top ODI sides in recent times, the fickle middle order means things are not as rosy as they seem.
Both Kohli and team management support the idea of having Dhoni in the team as someone who can control the middle when things go south, but in terms of balance his presence is hurting the side.
Virat Kohli and team management should consider other options. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)
Rishabh Pant needs to get a look in as Dhoni’s replacement. If this means Dhoni is rested for the West Indies series then so be it.
India need to have a plan for the World Cup and beyond. For me, Dhoni does not feature in that plan.
The Indian selectors need to have that difficult conversation with the legendary batter and discuss his future with the team.
Players have come and gone like muscial chairs for too long while this Indian middle order conundrum continues.
To lift the trophy in England next year, something needs to change.
Tanmoy Kar
Guest
Indian Selectors and Team Management do not have the guts to ask Dhoni to step down, they are expecting he will retire after the World Cup 2019 in England. They should have tried Rishabh Pant in few matches as a wicket-keeper batsman by giving Dhoni some break, but they are scared to do so even. Dhoni factor may cost India dearly in the World Cup.
Giri Subramanian
Roar Guru
Yup he has been poor for a while now. More than 2 years actually. He was playing because of captaincy till couple of years ago but now only plays because of his senioruty.
Giri Subramanian
Roar Guru
I agree, the selectors need to think about the future of the game as well. The subcontinent players have been having this issue for a while now. The players don't want to go and the selectors are not ruthless enough.
Atgm Shags
Roar Rookie
He has been a burden for the past two years
Rats
Guest
Absolutely agree.. he should have retired atleast a year back. It's nothing else but pride. It's sad that it's coming from Dhoni. Always thought he was rare piece for an Indian cricketer. Especially when you think about his initial days of captaincy and how he then treated the senior players who were becoming a liability to the team. Also a lesson for Indian selectors . . To let have superstar players decide their own fate instead of sitting with them and politely tell them that their time is up and thank them for all the hardwork.
Giri Subramanian
Roar Guru
Yes Paul, his decline had started few years ago and it hasn't improved. It would be a shame if he retired with an average of less than 50, which might happen if he continues to play.
Paul
Roar Guru
Dhoni has had so many superlatives heaped on him in recent times, but the one flaw in his outlook is pride. Why doesn't he acknowledge his shortcomings and simply stop playing ODI cricket for India? The only reason he's staying is because he desperately wants to play in the WC but for all the reasons you've outlined Giri, he is a liability to the India team moving forward. Someone like Gavaskar, Tendulkar, Ganguly or Dravid, needs to get in his ear and tell him it's time to give Pant a chance. This gives him a chance to go out of this format of the game with dignity. He could very well cost India a chance to win the WC if he goes to England and keeps batting as he is at present.