Why Dhoni is among India’s finest ODI leaders

Tags: Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Sourav Chandidas Ganguly, Mohammad Azharuddin, Cricwaves Columns

Published on: Jan 27, 2013

Following India’s hard-fought win at Mohali, M S Dhoni surpassed Sourav Ganguly to become the second most successful one-day captain in the history of Indian cricket. Dhoni registered his 77th victory in his 134 match as captain.

Following India’s hard-fought win at Mohali, M S Dhoni surpassed Sourav Ganguly to become the second most successful one-day captain in the history of Indian cricket. Dhoni registered his 77th victory in his 134 match as captain. He has also been the skipper in 46 Indian losses. Ganguly, whose record Dhoni overtook, captained India to 76 wins and 65 defeats in 146 matches. At present, Mohammad Azharuddin remains on top of the list, having led India to 90 wins and 76 losses in 174 games. Dhoni however enjoys a much better success rate as compared to his predecessors. His winning percentage is currently 62 as opposed to Ganguly’s 53.90 and Azhar’s 54.16. As a batsman as well, Dhoni has enjoyed greater success than the other two, making him one of India’s finest ODI leaders. Here’s a statistical comparison to drive home the point.

M S Dhoni: As captain, Dhoni has featured in 134 matches and averages an amazing 57.43, having amassed 4767 runs with the aid of five hundreds and a highest of 124. In comparison, as a player, Dhoni has been part of 87 ODI games in which he has registered 2477 runs with the help of three tons and an average of 44.23, his top score being the brilliant 183 not out at Jaipur against Sri Lanka.

As captain, Dhoni has also done exceedingly well in most parts of the world exceeding South Africa, where he averages 13 after eight games. The Indian skipper’s average at home is 58 after 50 matches. Strikingly, he averages 61 in Australia, 78 in England, 92 in New Zealand and 48 in Sri Lanka. The figures tell a story in itself.

Sourav Ganguly: The Prince of Kolkata led India in 147 games and scored 5104 runs at an average of 38.66 with 11 centuries and a highest score of 144. He had a significantly better record while playing as one of the members of Team India. In 164 where he wasn’t the leader, Ganguly made 6259 runs, averaging 43 with 11 tons and a best of 183, registered during the 1999 World Cup at Taunton.

Importantly, while Ganguly averaged an impressive 48 at home while captaining, his away figures weren’t as good. Among the top nations, his best was in South Africa where he averaged more than 60 after 17 matches. In Australia, his average dropped to 34, in England it was 32, in New Zealand 8 (after seven matches) and even in Zimbabwe he averaged only 27.

Mohammad Azharuddin: In the 174 games that Azhar led India, he made 5239 runs averaging 39.39 with four hundreds and a highest score of 153 not out. As non-captain Azhar was slightly less successful – 4139 runs in 160 matches, averaging 34 with three tons and a top score of 111 not out.

Azhar’s best record while leading the side has been in Sri Lanka --average of 65 in 23 games. At home, he averaged 39 while in England his average was 58. He disappointed in Australia and New Zealand, averaging on 28. He averaged 36 in South Africa and 31 in Zimbabwe. His average in the Caribbean was 22, but he played only four matches.

--By A Cricket Analyst

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