Maharashtra Herald June 21, 2007BY SUHRID BARUA
Pune:His flowing locks and butchery with the broad willow drives the fairer sex crazy. And in just two years of international cricket behind him, Mahendra Singh Dhoni has indeed become a cult figure. As a just reward for his exploits on the cricket field, he was entrusted with the responsibility of being skipper Rahul Dravid's deputy for the forthcoming twin tours of Ireland and Scotland.
It is not often that wicketkeepers in Indian cricket are handed the vice-captain's job. Former India wicketkeeper Chandrakant Pandit feels Dhoni's elevation is the best thing to have happened to Indian cricket. "I think it's a good move. He's matured as a keeper. He has worked hard on his keeping and is improving all the time," Pandit.
Pandit, who featured in 5 Tests and 36 ODIs between 1986 to 1992, believes wicketkeepers take time to blossom. "You don't expect a wicketkeeper to be at his best straightway on his initiation to international cricket. Look at Dhoni, he wasn't technically sound keeping-wise when he made his international debut, but being part of the national team has definitely helped to improve his keeping."
Pandit says the growing maturity of the Jharkhand swashbuckler can be seen in the way he bats nowadays. "He's a tough cookie, who will easily throw away his wicket. He learnt over the last couple of years that he is a key member of the side and that the team expects him to do the job. What is interesting to see is that he has toned down his attacking instincts and plays well according to the situation, which is so heartening to see," Pandit observed.
He, however, says keeping up to the likes of Kumble and Harbhajan in Test matches would be his litmus test. "He has done fairly done in the one-dayers, but I'm yet to see him keep up to spinners in the Test arena. It would be interesting to see how he copes up with that challenge," he added.
It is not often that wicketkeepers in Indian cricket are handed the vice-captain's job. Former India wicketkeeper Chandrakant Pandit feels Dhoni's elevation is the best thing to have happened to Indian cricket. "I think it's a good move. He's matured as a keeper. He has worked hard on his keeping and is improving all the time," Pandit.
Pandit, who featured in 5 Tests and 36 ODIs between 1986 to 1992, believes wicketkeepers take time to blossom. "You don't expect a wicketkeeper to be at his best straightway on his initiation to international cricket. Look at Dhoni, he wasn't technically sound keeping-wise when he made his international debut, but being part of the national team has definitely helped to improve his keeping."
Pandit says the growing maturity of the Jharkhand swashbuckler can be seen in the way he bats nowadays. "He's a tough cookie, who will easily throw away his wicket. He learnt over the last couple of years that he is a key member of the side and that the team expects him to do the job. What is interesting to see is that he has toned down his attacking instincts and plays well according to the situation, which is so heartening to see," Pandit observed.
He, however, says keeping up to the likes of Kumble and Harbhajan in Test matches would be his litmus test. "He has done fairly done in the one-dayers, but I'm yet to see him keep up to spinners in the Test arena. It would be interesting to see how he copes up with that challenge," he added.
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