India's now fomer captain has announced his retirement from Test cricket
Saturday 3 January 2015 09:23, UK
Known more for his success in the shorter formats, MS Dhoni's achievements in his Test career - which spanned almost a decade - and his 60 Tests as India captain, should not be forgotten.
His defining moment as a batsman came hand-in-hand with his highest Test score, 224, against Australia in Chennai in February 2013. It would be his last Test century and his only double-hundred. After seven straight Test defeats away from home was accentuated by a 2-1 home series loss to England earlier that winter – the first time India had lost a home series in more than eight years – Dhoni was under immense pressure. He came to the crease with the team four wickets down in their first innings in the first Test and still trailing Australia by 184, but his innings turned the game and sent them on their way to a 4-0 series whitewash.
Never famed for his wicketkeeping – with an unorthodox, home-made, oft lazy-looking technique – Dhoni has actually broken many records for his country. The third Test against Australia at the MCG has been a prime example – on Saturday he set the record for the most stumpings in international cricket (he’s fourth on the list in just Tests) and the day before he became the only Indian wicketkeeper to take 50 catches against Australia in Tests. He also sits fifth in the all-time list of most Test dismissals.
Not content with all of the above, Dhoni could sometimes be found removing his pads, gloves and helmet to take the ball in his hand. Nothing more than a dibbly-dobbler medium-pacer, his bowling didn’t quite live up to the fireworks of other facets of his game. However, his shining moment was eight overs of captivating cricket where he bowled to another of the game’s great showmen, Kevin Pietersen. In the first Test at Lord’s in 2011, Pietersen – on 73 at the time – was given out caught behind off Dhoni in his second over. He reviewed it and survived, going on to make 202 not out as England won the Test on their way to a series whitewash. But perhaps a case of what could have been had the decision gone Dhoni's way?
That series defeat to England in 2011 meant India lost their grip on their No 1 spot in the ICC Test rankings, a position they’d held for 18 months since December 2009. Dhoni’s record as captain up until that point was quite remarkable, averaging over 40, and inspiring his side to 18 Test wins from 40 (losing only six) and going unbeaten across 12 Tests from April 2008 to secure the No.1 spot.
Considering what was at stake in the series against England in 2011 and with his side already 1-0 down, Dhoni showed great sportsmanship to recall Ian Bell to the crease after he’d been run out on 137 while batting in the second innings of the second Test at Trent Bridge. It was the final ball before tea on day three and Bell, with one-eye already fixed on what was being served up in the dressing room, didn’t tap his bat down in his crease, thinking Eoin Morgan had hit the last ball for four. It was an honest mistake, but careless from Bell and many believed Dhoni was well within his right to uphold the appeal. He didn’t and the decision was overturned. It was all the more remarkable given it was the prized wicket of Bell, and England were leading by only 183 at the time. They went on to set India the insurmountable target of 478.
