Code:
[B]Dismissal WIN/TIE LOSS
[/B]
Not Dismissed 20 0
Dismissed 13 24
This is an astounding figure for a man who is a finisher par excellence. One wonders if this is a mere statistical oddity . . .
To be continued . . .
One can go into more statistics, particularly with respect to batting first to see Dhoni's role as a builder of challenge/setter of challenging targets but I suggest for the question at hand we have enough to state with minor reservations that
1. Dhoni has changed his batting tactics since taking over captaincy and taken on a more sedate role with an emphasis on seeing things through rather than blasting attacks into oblivion.
2. Consequently, his sixes have dried up, the run rate has dropped, particularly in the first half to two thirds of his innings.
3. His record shows that if he stays at the crease in the end, India ALWAYS wins in a chase. This might be interpreted by some as not wanting to stay till the end if the cause seems hopeless/lost. This is supported by his massively reduced sixes and yet many dismissals while trying to hit sixes.
4. There is no doubt, however, that he has played the role of a finisher with great merit but is it possible that India is not getting the best out of this incredible man.
I think the answer to the last question is yes. And the reason is . . . .
- Dhoni's new batting avatar - post his elevation to captaincy - is ideal for the one day format for someone batting higher up in the batting order. If Sachin had not taken on the role of opener (thank God) I can visualise him batting like this through an Indian innings at number three (or four) for his entire career and I would like to believe that Sachin would have been played a different role than the swashbuckler the opening slot made him in odi's. I would like to believe that Sachin would have been there at the end of many more famous Indian wins if he had batted lower down but that did not happen and what happened is glorious history as well. But we digress . . .
He should bat at three (preferably) but no lower than four
So Dhoni's current tactics are best for someone batting at number three or at four a la Mike Hussey. Hussey batted at 4,5 and 6 and his stats are best at four and then at five. As can be seen below Dhoni too has better figures higher up. Even Bevan has 86 innings at numbers 4 and five against 87 at number 6. Bevan, Dhoni batted lower largely because of the wealth of talent India had at the top with Sehwag, Sachin, Dravid, Ganguly and even Laxman fighting for the top five spots besides youngsters like Yuvraj. Yet, every time Dhoni has batted higher up he has produced better results as can be seen below . . .
Here is Dhoni's record at the five positions where he has batted for 185 of his 188 odi innings
Code:
[B]Batting Position Inns 50s 100s Runs Avg I/50 I/100[/B]
At nos 3 and 4 34 15 3 1903 76 2 11.0
At no 5 46 9 3 1873 55 5 15.0
At nos 6 and 7 103 21 1 2983 42 5 103.0
The figures are blindingly illuminating.
- His average is 81 % higher at nos 3 an4 than at 6 and 7 - inspite of the chance of remaining not out lower down the order)
- He has scored only 1 of his 7 centuries at nos 6 and 7
- He gets a hundred once every 11 innings at 3 and 4 and once every 103 innings at 6 and 7 (understandable but still glaring and important stat.
- He gets an amazing fifty every SECOND innings at 3 and 4 !! It is interesting to note that Tendulkar gets one every 4.5 innings as opener !!!
I have nothing more to add to this.
PS Now that only Sehwag and Sachin are left and the latter not for too many games I guess, the skipper should no longer hesitate to move to the top of that middle order and show us the next and, perhaps, the most exciting side of the full potential of this remarkable cricketer. I think the best of Dhoni could be ahead of us and only he himself, as skipper, stands between us and that vision.
If, he feels, the burden as keeper is too much the answer is simple. Give up the gloves. Dhoni the batsman is far far more valuable to India than Dhoni the keeper and, with apologies to those for who he is the second cricketing God, he is a modest keeper. His legacy will be his captaincy and his batting and I suggest both will prosper if he takes the plunge and hands over the gloves to a youngster. There are many who are better than him behind the stumps and good enough to bat for India at number seven. Whereas he is far too good to be wasted anywhere near that spot.
