Mahendra Singh Dhoni is spectacular!

[kvemuri]

Temperament wise I think Dhoni is up there. Infact his temperament and intelligence might be what get him by in difficult batting conditions.

Upon re-evaluating my own post, i have to agree with your comment on that, but Dhoni still needs to prove himself outside the sub-continent. My gut feeling says he will but my gut feeling has been wrong before.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Akmal went through a rich vein of form in...January? When he scored 7 centuries or something stupid of the sort

Roughly a century every 4 days. What a star...

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Really, Gilchrist could have a good tour of South Africa and change that "last 12 tests" average pretty easily. Form is a pretty passing thing for class players, and Gilchrist's ODI form suggests that he's not simply past it with the bat.

The emphasis is on "right now" though, as that pertains far more to form than anything else.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Coming to their comparision to Gilly, I think Gilly is miles ahead comparatively, he is far better a keeper than either

I don't think many will agree with you on that. Whether or not someone considers Gilchrist a better 'keeper than Akmal (and I certainly do not), it takes a fair lack of perception to say he's "far better". Akmal is outstanding with the gloves among the current crop. Gilchrist is definitely a fair bit above average, but I think if he weren't such an awesome batsman, it would be a lot clearer that he's not the best gloveman in the world.

 

[neutralguy]

In Test matches out of 8 innings had a hundred (a follow-on saving one against pakistan under pressure in second test) and a fifty and currently averages 46.85
Tests against england is going to prove how good he can evolve as a batsman in tests.Infact i would be excited to see dhoni perform well outside subcontinent.ONly time will tell.

 

[kvemuri]

I don't think many will agree with you on that. Whether or not someone considers Gilchrist a better 'keeper than Akmal (and I certainly do not), it takes a fair lack of perception to say he's "far better".

Actually I have come to that conclusion after watching both the VB series and Ind Vs Pak series, given the workmanship shown by both Akmal and Gilly, I have to give the props to Gilly. I know you might not agree with me on this, but some of the takes that Gilly had off of Lee, Bracken, Clark and Hogg definitely did top the takes compared to Akmal, believe me Akmal is no butterfingers he is definitely a good keeper, but some of his takes behind the stumps made me feel that he needs to improve. There time is definitely on his side.

Akmal is outstanding with the gloves among the current crop. Gilchrist is definitely a fair bit above average, but I think if he weren't such an awesome batsman, it would be a lot clearer that he's not the best gloveman in the world.

I would apply the logic the other way around, hadn't it been for Akmal going on a tear with his sublime form against England and his match winning innings against India in the Karachi test, Akmal would've gone un-noticed.

Also to be honest gauging Akmal's performance over the past 5 months to Gilly's performance is a tad un-fair, as Akmal as I quoted already hasn't played yet in conditions outside of the sub continent.

I can agree with your comment of glovework, if applied to Sanga or Boucher (his runout of Atapattu in a league game in VB series was simply stunning) as I think both are comparable or even better than Gilly at glovework, IMO Boucher definitely is.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Actually I have come to that conclusion after watching both the VB series and Ind Vs Pak series, given the workmanship shown by both Akmal and Gilly, I have to give the props to Gilly. I know you might not agree with me on this, but some of the takes that Gilly had off of Lee, Bracken, Clark and Hogg definitely did top the takes compared to Akmal, believe me Akmal is no butterfingers he is definitely a good keeper, but some of his takes behind the stumps made me feel that he needs to improve. There time is definitely on his side.

As I said, whether or not someone considers Gilchrist better, I can't see how it can possibly be by any large margin. My personal opinion: Given 100 chances with a range of difficulty, I would trust Akmal to take a larger percentage than Gilchrist.

I would apply the logic the other way around, hadn't it been for Akmal going on a tear with his sublime form against England and his match winning innings against India in the Karachi test, Akmal would've gone un-noticed.

That's entirely untrue. The only reason Akmal got into the Pakistan team and remained long enough to shine with the bat is his wicketkeeping. I remember before the VB Series last year, when so many people were criticizing Akmal's presence in the Pakistan team due to his perceived worthless batting. Akmal was always considered a quality wicketkeeper.

Also to be honest gauging Akmal's performance over the past 5 months to Gilly's performance is a tad un-fair, as Akmal as I quoted already hasn't played yet in conditions outside of the sub continent.

Point. That's what form is about though. It's not about batting ability. It's about runs on the board. That's why form is temporary and class is not quite as much.

I can agree with your comment of glovework, if applied to Sanga or Boucher (his runout of Atapattu in a league game in VB series was simply stunning) as I think both are comparable or even better than Gilly at glovework, IMO Boucher definitely is.

I think Boucher has fallen away from the peak he reached early in his career. He's still well above average and I think he's equal with Gilchrist. Sangakkara is a difficult man for me to judge. He's just so unassuming behind the stumps. That he keeps decently to Muralitharan is a huge vote in his favour though. Points to Gilchrist for Warne-management too.

 

[kvemuri]

As I said, whether or not someone considers Gilchrist better, I can't see how it can possibly be by any large margin. My personal opinion: Given 100 chances with a range of difficulty, I would trust Akmal to take a larger percentage than Gilchrist.

And today I would prefer Gilchrist.

That's entirely untrue. The only reason Akmal got into the Pakistan team and remained long enough to shine with the bat is his wicketkeeping. I remember before the VB Series last year, when so many people were criticizing Akmal's presence in the Pakistan team due to his perceived worthless batting. Akmal was always considered a quality wicketkeeper.

Will give you this one, as I didn't follow the VB series with Pak, Aus and don't know the third team. Also will be honest in my personal assessment, that Akmal has more dazzled me with his bat over the past two series than his keeping.

Point. That's what form is about though. It's not about batting ability. It's about runs on the board. That's why form is temporary and class is not quite as much.

Agreed.

I think Boucher has fallen away from the peak he reached early in his career. He's still well above average and I think he's equal with Gilchrist. Sangakkara is a difficult man for me to judge. He's just so unassuming behind the stumps. That he keeps decently to Muralitharan is a huge vote in his favour though. Points to Gilchrist for Warne-management too.

Boucher's behind the wkts work in the recently concluded VB series was simply superb, I haven't seen much of his work earlier hence can't compare but in the VB series he was the shining star for the slumping South Africans. Dippenaar, Boucher and Pollock in short spells (bat and ball) were the only SA who seemed to take it to the Australians.

Sangakarra has done well both as SLK wicket keeper and also keeping for the World XI (the chemistry-less lot) where he kept for Akhtar, Flintoff, Murali etc. Hence he gets my vote for being above Akmal or Dhoni.

 

[DhonisOnslaught]

Inzamam compares Dhoni to Gilchrist

Cricinfo staff

February 21, 2006



Inzamam terms Mahendra Singh Dhoni's batting as 'murderous' © Getty Images



Inzamam-ul Haq, the Pakistan captain, today described Mahendra Singh Dhoni's batting as "murderous" and reckoned that he was a player to be watched out for in the 2007 World Cup.

The Indian wicketkeeper-batsman scored 219 runs in four innings at a stupendous strike rate of 137 in the just-conclude five-match ODI series, propelling him to number three in the latest ICC rankings among ODI batsmen. "He is [also] safe behind the wickets and can be compared with Adam Gilchrist though the Australian has proved himself as the best after years in commission", Inzamam told PTI at Lahore.

 

[marc71178]

I would apply the logic the other way around, hadn't it been for Akmal going on a tear with his sublime form against England and his match winning innings against India in the Karachi test, Akmal would've gone un-noticed.

I wouldn't be so sure of that.

He's been talked of on this forum from way before those knocks.

 

[honestbharani]

Akmal is a better wicketkeeper IMO and considering that he's also quite a good batsman, I consider him a better wicketkeeper-batsman than Sangakkara.

Akmal actually dropped more catches than Dhoni in the INd-Pak series (both ODIs and Tests). Dhoni missed a simple stumping in the tests but so did Akmal, in the ODIs. Dhoni is a bit like Gilchrist. He doesn't LOOK great but is more than a decent to good keeper.

 

[SJS]

Akmal appears a better keeper than Dhoni. Catches are few and collections are many. One can find how good a keeper is not just by the catches he takes or drops in a particular game becuase that will happen to the best and the worst. The way is overall ball colllection, hand and feet movement and keeping technique is will determine how safe he is likely to be in the long run.

On this score Dhoni appears to be lacking. He should improve and one hopes he will not neglect this aspect in the euphoria of his batting exploits. At this point of time Akmal is a superior keeper.

As far as batting goes, they are different types and very difficult to compare.

Dhoni has proved all detractors wrong by his "consistency" so far. His style and flamboyance does give the impression that he will fail more often but that is still to happen. Akmal is more orthodox in his style and therefore gives more confidence.

One needs to wait and see Dhoni in England and Australia to see if like Sehwag and Gilchrist before him, he will show that this type of batsmanship can also yield high batting averages. Till then we should sit back and enjoy his batting for surely if we stopped trying to prove that he is a flash in the pan, we would really enjoy one of the most exciting strokeplayers of our times.

 

[IndianByHeart]

Quote:"Cricket is not a charity or a circus but a contest. Moreover spectators are not fools, save those blinded by the blight of nationalism. Without delay, the clause protecting Akhtar and company must be withdrawn. He must be governed by the same rules as everyone else, ....

Beamers are scorned because they are unacceptably dangerous. The same applies to throws sent down by a frustrated and unusually blessed fast bowler.

- Roebuck on Shoaib's action"


Why th hell is ICC silent on Akhtar's issue???? Is he above the law?

How long are we going to suffer from Pakistan's act of playing chuckers in their team??

 

[Nate]

Indian by heart indeed.

 

[Dasa]

They're back...

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Akmal actually dropped more catches than Dhoni in the INd-Pak series (both ODIs and Tests). Dhoni missed a simple stumping in the tests but so did Akmal, in the ODIs. Dhoni is a bit like Gilchrist. He doesn't LOOK great but is more than a decent to good keeper.

As I said, I haven't seen Dhoni. All I know of his 'keeping skills are what I've heard. Whenever I've seen Akmal he's been impressive though.

 

[DhonisOnslaught]

There isn't much of a difeference b/w Dhoni and Akmal as a keeper, however as far as batting is concerned, the difference is massive.Dhoni can just takes matches away from a team, mark my word , he's the guy who might make the most impact in the WC 2007.

 

[adharcric]

I'd definitely want Dhoni in my side for one-dayers, as he can have a more dramatic impact on matches and his temperament in the face of pressure is remarkable.

On the same token, right now I'd take Akmal for my test side, based on the knocks he's played against India and the gritty temperament and good technique he's displayed.

 

[andyc]

he's not in the league of Dhoni, who is a match winner and the best finisher in the game.

There's no way you can call him the best finisher in the game, especially considering Michael Hussey's start to international cricket.

 

[Nate]

Case and point.