They’ve been stars of their respective teams for over a decade in 50-over cricket, but Chris Gayle and MS Dhoni should call time on their ODI careers when this World Cup comes to an end.
While both players have managed to meet the standard for this tournament, they’ve shown a few key weaknesses too. Both of them, in different ways, are also getting in the way of their teams’ further development and for that reason they should make way.
Although famous for once hitting the first ball of a Test match for six, the man who calls himself the Universe Boss has recently developed quite a taste for starting his innings very slowly. That’s not unusual, of course – everyone likes to get their eye in – except that with Gayle that also means running slowly too.
His reluctance to hustle the singles and doubles in the first 15 overs heightens the pressure on his batting partners. While the 39-year-old knows that he will likely make good later in his innings through his trademark power hitting, his team-mates would likely prefer taking the opportunity to rotate the strike.
The approach is working well for him, but is not really in line with the rest of the West Indies team, which is now younger, fleet-footed and generally pretty dynamic aside from poor old Ashley Nurse.
The left-hander’s immobility at the crease is also becoming really obvious. His front foot is barely moving towards the ball although the lack of swing is allowing him to get away with more than normal.
He struggles just as much to get back quickly to play short-pitched deliveries, which means he’s missing scoring opportunities on those balls, too. Gayle also leaks runs in the field, turning like an oil tanker and falling towards the ball as he stands at slip, rather than actually diving at it.
Thankfully, the Jamaican announced in February that he would stop playing one-day cricket after the World Cup comes to an end, but can we really believe him?
He’s been known to give cryptic public statements in the past – like when he cheekily claimed he’d named his daughter Blush, for instance – and he’s often played for the Windies on his own terms. I could easily see him throwing his cap in the ring the next time his team is struggling. Let’s hope he doesn’t.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
With MS Dhoni, no such retirement statement has been forthcoming, although his hand may be forced after the tournament anyway.
Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar was rightfully critical of Dhoni’s recent slow batting against Afghanistan (28 off 52 balls) and many Indian fans piped up online, saying the former Indian skipper should step aside.
Like Gayle, Dhoni does miss opportunities to score off each ball – especially early in his innings – convinced that he will make good at the end. He tends to only get going once he decides the time is right to launch the run chase, but if the late bowling is disciplined – like it was from Afghanistan – this may mean that he leaves himself with an impossible task.
The issue with Dhoni is more about India picking their best 11. With the country’s huge professional player pool and IPL batting production line, India would be wise to match England’s current approach in picking a gun batting unit that can score big every time.
With the dynamic and chatty Rishabh Pant, they have a quick-scoring keeper who would be better suited to the one-day format anyway. Why not pick him at No.7 and beef up the middle order with a more dynamic batsman than Dhoni?
It’s said that Dhoni’s canny on-field advice is particularly helpful to Kohli, who can be hot-headed at times in the field. But the 345-game veteran won’t be able to play forever, so it’s a good time to develop some other new leaders in the side.
With one-day cricket slowly morphing into a 50-over version of Twenty20, players need to be able to play at full throttle.
There’s no doubt that Dhoni and Gayle are both legends of the game, but if their respective teams want to get on track early for the next World Cup, they should act now and move them on.
deepoz
Roar Rookie
Actually, Dhoni came to limelight playing up. HIs first telling innings was played form no. 3; a scintillating 148 against Pakistan. Initially he played up the order but that was difficult time with Tendulkar, Ganguly Sehwag around to take top spots. He settled to a finisher's position but played as a floater at 4, 5 and 6 a few times.
Neel
Roar Guru
The West Indies should look to the future. Gayle is fun and all but that’s it. They have some decent players right now and should look to build the team around them. Dhoni has contributed a lot to Indian cricket. India has a few keepers, in particular, Rishab Pant, who can replace Dhoni behind the stumps. They might not be as good as him but they definitely can do the job effectively. Compare Indian cricket 10-12 years ago to now, and one will understand how instrumental Dhoni was in making the Indian cricket team, the powerhouse it is today.
Paul
Roar Guru
at his best though Andre, he's a genuine number 5, able to control an innings if the sides in trouble or able to hit as well as anyone in ODI cricket if the innings needs acceleration. The only problem is, he's become undependable of late, which has hurt both he and the team. Best he plays a few more games then departs graciously.
Andre Leslie
Roar Guru
I think Dhoni’s judgement when batting/chasing totals is impressive but I’m not sure that his on-field captaincy decisions were always the best. Probably cos he was darn busy keeping wicket. From memory he used to be a mixture of highly conservative and really quirky. I don’t feel like Kohli is tactically too weak in the field, although – as mentioned – he sometimes lets his emotions get the better of him. But he’s a player that thrives on emotion.
Andre Leslie
Roar Guru
It feels like "going out on one's own terms" is slowly becoming a thing of the past... as sports team turnover seems to (subjectively at least) be getting quicker. I think what is interesting about Dhoni is the fact that he used to be a lower order batsman and he has made his way up the order - all this while Indian cricket has been booming. It's a strange development in a land that churns out so many good batsman.
La grandeur d'Athéna
Roar Rookie
Hello sir. Yes it is a concern. He might have played 72 matches but his tactical skills are nothing compared to MSD. Thankfully we have gotten some players in our team who have been performing consistently and winning games for us. Personally I breathed a sigh of relief when MSD was picked in the squad. I also believe rohit would make a better captain than virat. A great batsman does not always make a good captain :-)
deepoz
Roar Rookie
I don't think Dhoni's or for that matter, BCCI's plans include Dhoni post World Cup. It is purely for this last hurrah, and I suspect, equally at the behest of the skipper. Dhoni's experience of playing high pressure games is considered more important than his occasional slow-gos at the crease. Add to that his still more than capable work behind the stumps. IMO the whole package that MS Dhoni is, is still beneficial to the team. Gayl's situation is slightly different, I think. He has massive experience that can help his relatively inexperienced team. He is still a threat with the bat. I am surprised he doesn't bowl much which can be quite handy still, if he is up to it. a tournament like World Cup, often it is the experience that helps. He too, I doubt will be hanging around after the world cup.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
...and won 71 of them?
Paul
Roar Guru
Andre, the issue for these guys is more about going out on their terms, rather than being pushed. In the case of Gayle, the Windies hierarchy must be thrilled with the quality of players coming through. It will be hard to replace a champion, but this is a side that needs to work more as a team. not as a support act to C Gayle. In the case of Dhoni, I think he risks tarnishing a great career by hanging on - for what? There were calls to sack him a could of years ago but he wanted to hang around for the WC, his form improved and his clear influence on the field, meant he was chosen for this tournament. There's virtually nothing of any consequence on the horizon for MS and he runs the risk of being dumped in favour of Pant, which would be a sad end to a great career. Better for him to give it away once the WC final is finished.
Paul
Roar Guru
It must be a huge concern to Indian cricket if you're right about Kohli "not being there yet", as a captain. In this format alone he's captained India 72 times, which I assume should be enough for him to stamp his mark as a leader
The Bush
Roar Guru
Gayle will be gone, the Windies would be insane to pick a guy that wouldn't be 43 at the next world cup... Dhoni, I dunno, it depends I guess. India has always been slow to drop long standing stars, so I'd say he'll get to go on his own terms.
La grandeur d'Athéna
Roar Rookie
Easier said than done sir. MSD is not only a player, he is much more than that. Personally, I would say that kohli as a captain is not there yet. And we do not have a wicket keeper of calibre of dhoni waiting in bench. People might suggest name of pant but he has a lot, a hell lot to do to mature. I do not believe MSD in any way getting in the way of anything. When the time comes, I believe he will do the right thing.