MS Dhoni batting against England at The Oval in the fifth Test.
© AP
Almost certainly his last Test at the historic Oval, Mahendra Singh Dhoni scored a defiant 82 on a day when he scripted two India captaincy record. When he stepped out to toss at the Oval on Friday, the 33-year-old became the most-capped India captain against England. This was the 15th time Dhoni was leading India in a Test match against England. He went past Sunil Gavaskar, who led India in 14 Tests against England.
Dhoni will now share the record with Sourav Ganguly for the record of leading Indian in most away Tests. Ganguly has led in 28 Tests overseas. Dhoni also went past Mohammed Azharuddin, who has captained India in 27 Tests on foreign soil.
Interestingly, both Gavaskar and Ganguly were at the Oval commentating on the fifth and final Test at the Oval which India must win to level the series with England. The home team leads 2-1 with wins at Southampton and Manchester.
Scoring his 33rd Test half-century, Dhoni was the lone bright spot for India as he continuously lost partners. The visitors were shot out for 148 in their first innings after England won the toss and decided to field.
The fact that the India got some respectability was due to a 58-run 10th wicket stand between Dhoni and Ishant Sharma (7 not out). Dhoni will now look up to Ishant, the bowler. The Lanky pacer, who scripted the historic second Test win at Lord's with career-best 7 for 74, is returning from injury after missing the Tests at Southampton and Manchester.
Dhoni's captaincy has been under the scanner in this series. He has been criticised by former New Zealand skipper Martin Crowe. Dhoni has been labelled as a good ODI skipper but unfit for the five-day game. Friday's innings showed Dhoni's tenacity and once again established the fact that temperament was critical under pressure situations.
Given his amazing success as a ODI captain, the Indian Cricket Board has recommended Dhoni's name for the prestigious Padma Bhushan. Virat Kohli has been recommended for the Padma Shri.
Dhoni, who was awarded the Padma Shri in 2009, will become the 10th cricketer to receive the honour -- the third highest in the country -- if the BCCI's recommendation is accepted by the government of India.
Under Dhoni, India have won two limited overs World Cups, including the 50-over one at home in 2011. Last year, India beat England in a rain-hit final of ICC Champions Trophy at Birmingham.
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