How Dhoni’s batting struggles ended his career

In the realm of international cricket, sustaining a long career often requires players to reinvent themselves continuously. Legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Steve Smith, and Virat Kohli have done it successfully.

MS Dhoni, one of the game’s most unorthodox batsmen, also faced an existential crisis in the latter part of his career, making several unnoticed adjustments to his technique.

This article delves into the technical changes Dhoni’s batting struggles, the technical changes he made and much more; highlighting his adaptability and resilience.

The Early Years: Relying on Hand-Eye Coordination

Dhoni’s technique has always been unconventional. Known for his minimal foot movement and heavy reliance on hand-eye coordination, he often played shots with minimal adjustment of his feet. This approach, however, posed challenges as he aged, with the decline in hand-eye coordination affecting his performance.

2013: The Initial Signs of Change & Batting Struggles

In 2013, during an innings against Australia where he scored 62 off 38 balls, Dhoni showcased his typical style. While there was some foot movement, he primarily depended on his hands to play the ball. This technique worked well in his early career but began showing limitations against faster bowlers and with advancing age.

2017: A Shift in Technique

By 2017, Dhoni started making noticeable changes. His century partnership with Yuvraj Singh saw him incorporating a front foot press, an initial movement to help react faster to deliveries. Unlike Tendulkar, who rarely had a trigger movement, Dhoni began employing this technique to cope with his decreasing reaction times.

The Experiment with Pads

Dhoni’s experimentation wasn’t limited to his batting stance.

Dhoni’s batting struggles meant he also switched from his usual Morrant pads, known for their lightness despite their bulk, to the more conventional three-strap pads during the Sri Lanka series.

This switch was surprising as it deviated from his usual equipment choices, perhaps in an attempt to enhance his agility and comfort at the crease.

Dhoni’s Batting Struggles Against Spin and Dot Balls

One of Dhoni’s significant challenges was rotating the strike, especially against spinners. His dot ball percentage in ODIs rose to 53% in 2016, much higher than his career average of 48.8%. In response, he adjusted his technique, including a pronounced back-and-across movement, to improve his strike rotation and overall scoring ability.

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2018: Reverting to Old Techniques

Despite his adjustments in 2017, Dhoni reverted to a more static stance in 2018. This year was particularly tough, with a low ODI average of 25 and a strike rate of 71. Criticism mounted as his dot ball percentage remained high, and he struggled to find consistency.

2019: The World Cup Year and Final Adjustments

In 2019, Dhoni reintroduced the trigger movement, a tactic he had previously abandoned. This year was crucial with the World Cup on the horizon. Dhoni’s return to the two-strap pads and the back-and-across movement demonstrated his ongoing effort to adapt and refine his technique. Despite these efforts, his performances were mixed, reflecting the challenges of making substantial technical changes late in his career.

Conclusion: The Constant Evolution of a Legend

MS Dhoni’s journey underscores the relentless pursuit of excellence that defines cricketing legends. His willingness to tweak his game, despite an already illustrious career, highlights the importance of adaptability in international cricket. Dhoni’s technical evolutions, driven by necessity and a deep understanding of his game, serve as a testament to his enduring legacy in cricket.

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