What's your expection from Dhoni as a batsman in test matches?

[NareshK]

For those who are saying averages are not important, please name me wicket keepers from India who have averaged 40 in tests after playing 50 tests. Kirmani averaged 27, More averaged 21 and Farokh Engineer averaged 31. Dhoni is the best wicket keeper batsman to have played for India in our test history and some of you want to drop him. :facepalm:

[vvvslaxman]

Most of our starts even in 8-0 debacle were squandered thanks to Dhoni's ineptness...dont let some numbers fool you. Prior in recent times and Haddin in the current series show what having a genuine batsmen in that position does

His problem is overseas. In India and flat condition he is still good. Don't forget his 224 vs OZ or his 99 vs England, His problem is overseas.

[Cricketics]

Again' date=' average despite my trying to explain the value of crucial runs rather than averages padded up by meaningless scores. Even the likes of Amit Mishra have made merry when the game is over, which are the kind of situations Dhoni has scored the vast majority of his runs on our last three tours to England, South Africa, and Australia.[/quote'] I got yout point. I am trying to say is that all of that knock under pressure and when required, can only happen if Dhoni can have a reliable part to hang around and play "that pressure knock" with that player. Like it was today. He could have made some useful contribution, but he kind of failed after he looked like scoring. But this doesn't happen often. What happens, is that Dhoni is trying to play the 2nd fidel role and the batsman on the other end gets out and Dhoni is having to play with the tail to score "those important" runs which you are talking about which he is never able to score as he tries to over do things since he knows the batsman on the other end won't last long.

[saneindian]

Most of our starts even in 8-0 debacle were squandered thanks to Dhoni's ineptness...dont let some numbers fool you. Prior in recent times and Haddin in the current series show what having a genuine batsmen in that position does

In England - 183/5, 165/5, 267/5, 55/5, 92/5, 87/5, 95/5, 262/5 In Aus- 221/5, 69/5, 96/5, 276/5, 131/5, 135/5,111/5, 162/5 4 Decent starts in 16 innings, rest all were shambolic. Dhoni was equally pathetic as the top order.

[The Outsider]

'Tics, here is a list of Dhoni's innings away from home since the last tour to South Africa. Can you point me to the ones which came in important circumstances: http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/28081.html?class=1;home_or_away=2;spanmin1=02+Dec+2010;spanval1=span;template=results;type=batting;view=innings I would say only 2 - the first innings at Birmimgham and Sydney, out of 27 attempts. First innings at Durban the last time was also okay.

[Cricketics]

Take a chance with Samson

Lol, I don't want to hurt you, but Samson can play with Dhoni still being in the team. How? He can replace your beloved Rohit as no. 5 or 6 by just playing as a batsman :)

[maniac]

Its blasphemy to compare him with Gilchrist or Boucher and it's stupid to say he is better than Akmals or Ramdin but he could have atleast been a Prior or haddin

[NareshK]

Take a chance with Samson

Stick to IPL, mate. Test cricket aint for kids. :cantstop:

[Cricketics]

'Tics, here is a list of Dhoni's innings away from home since the last tour to South Africa. Can you point me to the ones which came in important circumstances: http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/28081.html?class=1;home_or_away=2;spanmin1=02+Dec+2010;spanval1=span;template=results;type=batting;view=innings I would say only 2 - the first innings at Birmimgham and Sydney, out of 27 attempts. First innings at Durban the last time was also okay.

I agree yaar. I haven't been denying that. My question has been just that, how can he play that important innings? Important innings can be played when team is in trouble and team is about to be bowled out. You can only play important knocks when players are standing by you and they can rotate. LIke today Dhoni could have with Rahane. But usually if Indi aare 6 down, he has had to play more as a hitter than play rotation game as he knows the tail will be bowled out soon.

[maniac]

Stick to IPL' date=' mate. Test cricket aint for kids. :cantstop:[/quote'] Ok Uncle....I wont call u grandpa because u probably from the Dhoni generation who think he is gods gift to humanity :icflove: Ps: Dhoni sucks

[The Outsider]

I got yout point. I am trying to say is that all of that knock under pressure and when required, can only happen if Dhoni can have a reliable part to hang around and play "that pressure knock" with that player. Like it was today. He could have made some useful contribution, but he kind of failed after he looked like scoring. But this doesn't happen often. What happens, is that Dhoni is trying to play the 2nd fidel role and the batsman on the other end gets out and Dhoni is having to play with the tail to score "those important" runs which you are talking about which he is never able to score as he tries to over do things since he knows the batsman on the other end won't last long.

Not just today, think of Lords when he had the chance to save the test with Raina in the second innings and Dravid carried his bat through in the first innings. Think of Cape Town the last time when Tendulkar was at the other end, think of Trent Bridge when Dravid was at the other end, or MCG when we had Australia under pressure, or at Sabina Park when Dravid and Raina were with him in the two innings......it's a very long list.

[vvvslaxman]

In Tests Dhoni doesn't show the sense of judgement which he shows in ODIs. His thought process is completely different in ODIs. He constructs innings even in difficut conditions, even with tail like he did in chennai. Even under collapses he stays calm steers team into good positions. But in Tests he is trying to overattack with his technique. He has no awareness of slips . If he fixes that issue he will be half better batsman than he is now overseas. Today he played out all straight deliveries. One that is floated wide he had to poke.

[maniac]

In England - 183/5' date=' 165/5, 267/5, 55/5, 92/5, 87/5, 95/5, [b']262/5 In Aus- 221/5, 69/5, 96/5, 276/5, 131/5, 135/5,111/5, 162/5 4 Decent starts in 16 innings, rest all were shambolic. Dhoni was equally pathetic as the top order.

Yes but a strong No 7 would have made the difference atleast with 130+ for 5 scores...Case for The names I have mentioned

[Cricketics]

Not just today' date=' think of Lords when he had the chance to save the test with Raina in the second innings and Dravid carried his bat through in the first innings. Think of Cape Town the last time when Tendulkar was at the other end, think of Trent Bridge when Dravid was at the other end, or MCG when we had Australia under pressure, or at Sabina Park when Dravid and Raina were with him in the two innings......it's a very long list.[/quote'] Yes, he could have definitely added to those. Hence he isn't called a great by me. I expect him to score some runs, but I am happy with him score scratchy 40 odd everytime. He almost did that today. He isn't a great test bat, but not that bad for a no. 7. We just don't have a replacement who is sending or knocking doors badly.

[maniac]

Dhoni slogs his way out of trouble in tough conditions,Just a better version of Zak,so he gets some runs which fan boys present as high average. Seen it multiple times.....If he was even half-capable,he and Ashwin who showed more temparament would have got us out of trouble atlest 2/5 times. He is better than Raina and Yuvraj I will give him that but thats not saying a lot

[maniac]

Talking about tests

[Cricketics]

So who are the mentioned candidates so far?? I heard Saha, and Samson from someone. That's it? Any other names being thrown.

[maniac]

So who are the mentioned candidates so far?? I heard Saha, and Samson from someone. That's it? Any other names being thrown.

D.K is leagues ahead as a test batsmen,but he would have to open with Vijay :cantstop:

[Cricketics]

D.K is leagues ahead as a test batsmen' date='but he would have to open with Vijay :cantstop:[/quote'] O yeah DK. Yes, he is better than most in India for a long format. Not really. He can't bat that bad at no. 5 either. I keep saying no. 5 not to tease you but because no. 3, and 4 slot is sealed for few series by Pujara and Kohli. Anyways, no wicket keeper is going to make it to test team, unless Dhoni is injured or India is having a miserable run with Dhoni scoring shyt and other wicket keeper in our domestic scoring as much as what these Pujara or some other players were scoring during their run in Ranji.

[NareshK]

Its blasphemy to compare him with Gilchrist or Boucher and it's stupid to say he is better than Akmals or Ramdin but he could have atleast been a Prior or haddin

Prior averages 22 in SA and Haddin averages 26. Dhoni averages 30 in SA. In England, Prior's average is 40 (home conditions), Haddin averages 32 and Dhoni averages 39. Overall average - Prior 40, Hadding 36, Dhoni 39. What is this fuss all about ? :hmmm: