MS Dhoni: What should he do next?

The string of losses that India has suffered in the last one and half year across all formats has led to questions being asked regarding Dhoni. Many are asking to remove him as captain. But the point to be noted is that India is going through a transition with all greats retiring, and seniors like Harbhajan, Sehwag and Zaheer who should have taken team forward, have faded and are a shadow of themselves.

If we analyse properly, there is no one fitter to take up the post of captaincy and it’s not like anyone is gunning for the post, because those who are seen as replacements for Dhoni (Gambhir and Sehwag) haven’t shown an attitude which instills belief. As seniors, they are not seen cheering the young bowling attack nor are they seen giving any input to Dhoni. Somehow it seems they are playing within themselves and sadly for their own places. On the other hand, Kohli is a nice contender but it’s too early for him (I believe he should be made T20 captain). To Dhoni’s credit, he has been very calm during this storm. He hasn’t had a good bowling attack through-out. Even when India was winning under him, it was because of the batsmen like Gautam, Sachin, Sehwag and co. having a great run, and now these batsmen are struggling.

Though Dhoni doesn’t show that he is feeling the pressure and it seems that he doesn’t give a damn, those increasing grey hairs under his cap show that that he is feeling the heat. He is single handedly trying to turn the fortunes of his team around and if you had noticed, the innings in Eden Gardens was more of a statement to his team-mates. He did not even look towards the dressing room after reaching his 50, and according to reports, did not talk to them after the match.

Let’s have a look at his numbers in Tests in 2012. In 8 Tests, Dhoni scored 447 runs at an average of 40.63, including 5 fifties. You can’t expect much from a no. 7 in Tests, while in ODIs he has been exceptional since the 2011 World Cup: 26 matches, 972 runs, avg. of 88.36, strike rate - 94.64. Regarding his captaincy, he does not have the luxury of an all-rounder – let’s face it, there isn’t anyone in this country of the calibre of say Hafeez, let alone a Watson or a Kallis. Pace bowling resources are shallow and so is the spin department.

Whatever his critics say, he is the best to lead the Indian team in the present scenario. Yes, question his team selection, his field settings, his strategies, but please do not point your finger at his commitment, his integrity and his honest effort. In hindsight, it will be very easy to take away the captaincy from him but the real problem is not there and this Indian cricket team needs lots of introspection.