where is the love?

[goose]

It's disappointing to read so much vitriol about Dhoni. He had his shortcomings in tests but he was a proper leader of men. His success in the limited over formats as a batsman and captain is staggering. The failure to transfer that captaincy success to the test format is a bit of a first in Indian cricket, and frankly that's been a bit of an eye-opener for pundits and fans alike. Yes he has lost a lot away in tests and his tactics not up to scratch but purely as a leader of men he never embarrassed his country and was the consummate professional. The Indian captaincy is a brute of a job that should come with a health warning. You're not supposed to come out unscathed. He timed his exit perfectly in my opinion - the series and trophy was lost today. Kohli is the new inspiration and there was no point pretending otherwise by postponing the decision till the end of the series. Dhoni was the inspiration once upon a time, that sh%it does't grow on trees. As a nation we need to learn to be a lot kinder. His announcement today fills me with pride. Hopefully with the test monkey off his back he can shine at the World Cup which so many of us will be desperate to win again in a few weeks time. It is irrational to ridicule a man for his test record and hope he succeeds at the World Cup. Often an Indian player's stock rises just by being out of the team. Let us rejoice in his exit in the proper manner. Goodnight.

[fineleg]

Too late by MSD, good riddance in Tests

[Lord]

Agree

[kubrickian]

Haters gonna hate. Most so called fans here know as much about cricket as Rakhi Sawant knows about politics. They are just drama queens. How do you expect them to know the value/quality or contribution of any cricketer ? Personally I take these comments as fun and not seriously and neither should anybody.

[kosingh]

Haters gonna hate. Most so called fans here know as much about cricket as Rakhi Sawant knows about politics. They are just drama queens. How do you expect them to know the value/quality or contribution of any cricketer ? Personally I take these comments as fun and not seriously and neither should anybody.

Gavaskar, Ganguly, Ian Chappell etc were among Dhoni's critics. Dhoni had some decent years as test captain, but his body stopped holding up a while ago. Should have retired then.

[goose]

Here is one example of a comment from an English newspaper. It's embarrassing that this site seems so incapable of producing similar. Sad to see him go so early. He was much loved outside India for being so unlike the 'officer class' captains India once served up. His captaincy was often overly defensive, but his Viv-like cool intimidated other teams, nonetheless. India is a team defined by talent unrealised outside Asia, and with Dhoni, it always threatened to blossom.

[CG]

Yeah he deserves respect .he had so much potential in tests too but lost his way .In 2008 kanpur we though we had seen glimpses of his captaincy potential. But He dragged on series after series.As they either you die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villian.

[goose]

A lot of respect for a man who played all three formats as a captain, finisher and wicketkeeper for nation with volatile followers. Apart from the sheer physical toll, the mental and emotional drain would have been enormous. I mean, his hair greyed visibly over the last few years. Would have been happier to see him declare his retirement rather than some BCCI press release. respect and thanks for the ride.

[goose]

Thanks you Mahendra Singh. Brilliant at home, limited by his comrades inability to take 20 wickets away from home, Dhoni was ultimately a flawed captain away. I think his relationship and partnership with Gary Kirsten was important, and that Kirsten's retirement meant something was lost within Dhoni too. Ultimately part of Dhoni's job was to transition one team of greats into a new team of winners. Although not entirely successful, he should hand an important job to Virat Kohli who takes on Ganguly's mantal as someone who is not willing to back up even an inch to the opposition. Exciting times ahead, especially if we can improve as a bowling unit. As regards to ODI and T20 cricket, not sure you have a peer really. Hopefully you can win a second world cup and leave Indian cricket with a bang.

[Gambit]

He was a shite captain but we have today seen the exit of someone who is a lockin for an all time Indian test XI.

[zep1706]

It is not easy to play 90 test matches as a wicket keeper and he captained India in half of them. For that alone he deserves respect. He was a poor test captain tactically in overseas conditions. But other than that he has had a fine career. He still has a lot to offer in ODIs.

[jf1gp_1]

What an extraordinary player and amazing attitude. Not once did i see him complain the oldies which he had to carry through, not once did i hear him even suggest that he lead India through such a huge transition. With a bit of luck or if he had say a zaheer (at his peak) we could have so easily won in SA,NZ and even this series we would have been 1-1. As a test captain he has the highest overall win ratio and at home. Highest avg for a keeper. To quit the day he saw there was an alternate, handing his successor nothing but home series till he matures; such a selfless act. What a player what an individual. Dhoni

[goose]

An honest, honourable man that brought an air of calm and decency to a game that has become tainted who played the game as intended, those scumbag aussies should take note, Lehman not fit to be in the same room as this man. Thanks for making the game better and the Indian team well liked all over the world whether winning or losing

[zep1706]

those scumbag aussies should take note' date=' Lehman not fit to be in the same room as this man.[/quote'] OK I thought this was a good thread, until this. :cantstop:

[rkt.india]

Agree, too much hate going on.

[goose]

OK I thought this was a good thread' date=' until this. :cantstop:[/quote'] yeh that was a bit random! copy and paste from the Guardian (UK) comments section.

[Lord]

Agree' date=' too much hate going on.[/quote'] you realise this just now.I have said this before.Some of the comments,tags were insane. Now ICF will be better(hopefully)

[rkt.india]

The amount of workload he carried was exceptional.

[rkt.india]

you realise this just now.I have said this before.Some of the comments,tags were insane. Now ICF will be better(hopefully)

Not like that. People realize that. I never hated or abused him, but you cannot shut others.

[kubrickian]

The amount of workload he carried was exceptional.

The burden of being Indian captain itself with the pressure of fans, media and expectations is something that 99 % people cant handle. Being India captain has a shelf life, not longer than a year I reckon for most people.