MS Dhoni a Captain of Authority and True Match-Winner: VVS Laxman
MS Dhoni bid farewell to Test cricket after the Melbourne match against Australia. Former India great VVS Laxman heaped praise on the veteran of 90 Tests and tells NDTV that Dhoni's records will always speak volumes about him.
MS Dhoni retired from Test cricket on Tuesday after a career spanning over nine years. The drawn Melbourne match against Australia was his last and the cricket community paid rich tributes to the India captain. VVS Laxman - who has featured in several Tests with Dhoni - hailed him as the 'Captain of Authority' who would always be remembered fondly by teammates and fans alike. (Dhoni Retires From Test Cricket)
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Dhoni featured in 90 Tests of which he captained India in 60. Since his debut as skipper in 2008, Dhoni had a roller-coaster ride with highs at home and several lows abroad. For Laxman though, his captaincy was a watershed moment in Indian cricket. (Sachin Tendulkar Leads Tributes)
"He will always be remembered as being a captain who led with authority and for being a match-winner," said the 40-year-old Laxman. (Dhoni Knew Kohli Was Ready: Gavaskar)
"I am surprised at his decision (to retire) but one needs to respect him for it. It is his personal call," he added.
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Laxman, however, said that Dhoni must clarify to fans about why he took a decision to retire from the format so that idle speculations do not arise. " When I retired (in 2012), there was a lot of needless speculation. Fans would also want to know what made Dhoni choose to retire from Tests. More clarification is definitely needed," said Laxman.
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There is no doubt in Laxman's mind however that Dhoni's contribution to the Indian dressing room has been enormous. "He has been an exceptional figure for the team and ensured dressing room's atmosphere never changed," he said. "If India failed in overseas Tests, it was because the team failed collectively and was not really Dhoni's fault. A captain is only as good as his team."
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At the end of the Melbourne Test, Dhoni had led India to 27 wins in the 60 he had been captain in. He finishes off as the most successful Indian skipper in Tests. While defeats overseas would fade from memory, what would remain are the triumphs he led India to, feels Laxman.