BackThe astonishing MS Dhoni
Sometimes a batsman reaches a zone where he can do almost anything that he wants. Dhoni was in that zone on Sunday
Premium(PTI)
When did I last enjoy an Indian Test innings the way I did on Sunday? I can’t really remember. Leeds 2002, though, comes to mind, when that great Trinity, Sachin Tendukar, Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly, all three, scored centuries. Dravid’s innings was described by England captain Nasser Husain as one of the finest he had ever seen. Tendulkar’s was his 30th ton, crossing Sir Don Brandman’s tally, and Ganguly’s was an act of brutal aggression the likes of which are not usually seen in Test matches. Even as the light faded, and Tendulkar and Ganguly could have easily asked for end of play, they continued happily, smashing the England bowlers all over the park. Ganguly celebrated his century by hitting two consecutive sixes.
But this innings against Australia in Chennai, on a pitch that one newspaper columnist has described as resembling a long-jump pit, had everything that Test matches personify. Plus, it may actually have a huge impact on Indian cricket in times to come. It showed us that we have found a reliable replacement for Rahul Dravid at the No 3 spot, in Cheteshwar Pujara, solid in defence and elegant in strokeplay. It was a delight to see that Tendulkar has lost none of his genius. Coming in at 12 for 2, he stabilized the innings, mentored Pujara at the other end, played a commanding and chanceless knock, and when Pujara left, continued the good work with Virat Kohli.
In the light of what followed in the day, the first hour of play on Sunday may well be forgotten by most. But that hour of grim defence really laid the foundations for the pyrotechnics that were to come. James Pattinson and Peter Siddle were bowling at their best, and Tendulkar made a fortress out of himself, refusing to be tempted outside the off-stump, and calmly patting back reverse-swinging 150kmph yorkers. That hour also saw, I think, the final coming-of-age of Kohli. This was no longer the angry young man, but a professional adapting himself to the circumstances, patient and happy to follow the master’s instructions. Tendulkar’s 81 was as valuable as many of the 51 Test centuries he has made. By the time he left, India was cruising, and the fire in the Australian attack had dimmed.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, of course, batted like he was playing in some other Test match. In fact, given his range of totally idiosyncratic shots, one sometimes feels he is not even playing cricket. You can see strong traces of tennis, golf and hockey in the ways he dispatches deliveries. What we got on Sunday was a conqueror with his natural aggression riding on cool strategic smarts. He destroyed the Australian bowlers’ confidence. The first seven overs with the new ball went for 54 runs, that is, almost eight runs an over. When Kohli left—a sudden rush of blood to the head after a fluent and mature 107—Dhoni continued his campaign, untroubled. But after eight wickets fell, he changed strategy beautifully. When Bhuvneshwar Kumar came out to bat, Dhoni was on 120 off 144 balls. He did not slow down, but played completely differently. He made his next 80 runs in only 87 deliveries, but in a flurry of fours and sixes, constantly refusing singles to shield Kumar. Sometimes, only sometimes in his career, a batsman reaches a zone where he can do almost anything that he wants, to every delivery that comes at him. Dhoni was in that zone on Sunday. He almost seemed superhuman.
It was a great day for India, and a great day for Test cricket. Australia’s fast bowlers blazed bright in the first hour, and were equalled by Tendulkar’s steely determination. Kohli played superbly, and Dhoni’s innings was an astonishing example of what talent and courage can achieve, even if most of his shots still don’t look like cricket shots as we’ve known them.
It’s performances like these that should reassure all pessimists. Test cricket is healthy and well, and it definitely has a long thriving life ahead.
Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!
