Eh? I don't think anyone is legitimately claiming Dhoni is the undisputed, unanimously chosen greatest ODI player of all time. He has a claim to it, which was weakened by his hanging on too long unfortunately. But he does have a claim to it, especially as a great batsmen (one of the best) and as a great wicketkeeper (one of the best).
Out of curiosity, who do you think can claim is the greatest ODI player of all time? Because according to your definion, that player has to (I'm assuming) make 100% of everyone's first choice, all time XIs? I don't think even Sachin, Viv, Kohli, Imran or Wasim (as witnessed by the various threads) are making EVERYONE's first choice, all time XIs, because there will ALWAYS be a debate.
Finally, a good constructive post sir!
So, first off, my argument was in response to a couple of posters who think exactly what you dont, that "claiming Dhoni is
the undisputed, unanimously chosen greatest ODI player of all time". One poster even said it was "extremely absurd" to think Gilly was a better keeper, so there is some definite crazy bias here.
I personally, as stated in the thread on Dhoni's retirement think he was a very good cricketer, across all formats, but as you state, he stayed on too long, especially in the shorter format when he was often more problematic with his slower batting down the order to keep his wicket than as a great finisher (as he was in the first half of his career).
In terms of how I would define as the greatest cricketer, I never stated it is that a player should make it onto everyone's all time XI, certainly not on a random forum HOWEVER, someone to be in contention of such accolades that have to be present in most all time XIs and there must be consensus among the voices and people that matter (not just biased fans). But that is only one criteria, Dhoni may be 50-50 in that as his position of keeper batsman, but there are so many factors I could make a whole thread on it, but it would include skillset, achievements, legacy and so much more.
For me, Dhoni would certainly be a top 10-15 ODI cricketer, in competition with his contemporary Kohli for indias second greatest ODI cricketer, who could end up as their greatest (maybe greatest ever if he can have a great world cup campaign).