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Mahendra Singh Dhoni going the Kapil way?

Kapil Dev Nikhanj. Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Two charismatic skippers with winning ways.

The former led Team India to an epochal triumph in the 1983 World Cup, a victory which led to a radical power shift within the ICC. The Reliance World Cup followed in 1987. The circle was complete. The colonised were now king-makers.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni was fortunate to be selected skipper for the inaugural 2007 T20 World Cup. He  thrust a young, inexperienced team to the pinnacle in a format ignored by the bigger guns—Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble and Saurav Ganguly.

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Saurav Ganguly: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

“Make the most when you get it, once it goes, you won’t get it back, even how much you want it."

Saurav Ganguly has no sympathy for the moaners and groaners in the Indian squad. He feels that the India cap is hard-earned and is not to be worn lightly.

"I’m too fed up hearing this "time to recover" [excuse] – don’t play for India then, you know this is what it is, you have to come back and play a Test series.” said the former captain.

What he really meant:

“Aches and pains come and go. The India cap comes along—rarely.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“The guys in this Indian side can approach me for tips on how to play short-pitched stuff.”

Tatenda Taibu: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

“Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has just painted a house that’s about to fall.”

Zimbabwean cricketer, Tatenda Taibu, slammed the country’s cricket administration claiming that the return to Test cricket is mere eyewash and that the very edifice is crumbling. “”When you walk around and you see a house that’s painted well, you will think that house is really standing strong but if does not have a strong foundation, it will fall down one day or another.” said the wicketkeeper batsman. Zimbabwe take on Bangladesh at Harare on the 4th of August, 2011 followed by four ODIs.

What he really meant:

“Painting a creaky building just makes it a prettier ruin. It’s merely papering over the cracks—to use a better metaphor.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“I have no history or issues with the Zimbabwean cricketing setup.”

Michael Vaughan’s Hot Spot: His cup of Vaseline overflows

Geoffrey Boycott: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

“India looked like Bangladesh in disguise.”

Geoffrey Boycott is scathing in his criticism of the Indian cricket team. “Their ground fielding was atrocious, their bowling was wayward and lacking thought.” says the Yorkshire great.

What he really meant:

“I’m sure Bangladesh would have put up a better fight. England beat Sri Lanka 1-0 in three Tests, and yet the No.1 side are down 0-2 in two. Yeah, I forget, they won’t be No.1 after this series.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“Duncan, you can go home now. I’d like to coach this Indian side.”

Michael Vaughan: What he said, really meant and definitely did not

What he said:

"I reckon you might [have had to] bat No.8 in this Indian team."

Michael Vaughan is convinced that Phil Tufnell could bat as high as No.8 in the current Indian Test team. Tufnell has a Test average of 5.10 and a highest score of 22.

What he really meant:

“It doesn’t matter what order the Indian tailenders turn up in, the end result would be the same.It might be a better idea to reverse the batting line-up. The bottom five might just last 20 overs with the new ball.”

What he definitely didn’t:

“I wonder why Dhoni doesn’t do a Bedi and declare after the fall of the sixth wicket.”

Shahid Afridi: What he said, really meant and what you wish he said

What he said:

“I was a hero for them after the World Cup and suddenly I became zero.”

Shahid Afridi is quite certain that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) flip-flops in its attitude  to him. Ijaz Butt, PCB Chairman, is the target of his ire. The former Pakistan captain labelled PCB officials hypocrites calling them ‘two-faced’ for blaming him for the ODI losses in the Windies despite his non-involvement in the selection process.

What he really meant:

“Butt thinks I’m good as long as I’m good to him.Convenient.”

What you wish he said:

“PCB officials would be excellent advisors on how to build roller-coasters.”

MS Dhoni wins hearts: Team India fail second Test

Of the two sides fighting for the No.1 Test spot, only one stepped up to the plate; that side was not India.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni won hearts with his sporting act on the third day of the second nPower Test series.

His team’s performance, however, raised a lot more questions.

Johnny Lever is Vaselined all over

Fanning the Spirit of Cricket: Mahi lights the way

If the Spirit of Cricket were a kite, then we all know who should be holding the strings, sending it soaring into the stratosphere.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni made Indians (and connoisseurs of the game) proud with his decision to rescind the contentious appeal made against Ian Bell at the break of tea on the third day of the third Test at Trent Bridge on Sunday, the 31st of July, 2011.

The contrast between the two sides was not more readily apparent than last evening.

One side has gone to town with allegations about ‘bat-fixing’ with Vaseline to fox ‘Hot-Spot’, the other exhibited that the spirit of the game was more important than winning at all costs.