Dhoni under Virat: A combination that can make or break Indian cricket

New Delhi: It was just a matter of time when Virat Kohli would have been entrusted with the baton of Indian cricket in all formats. The fact that Dhoni himself virtually did the honours, keeping true to his rare virtue of ‘art of leaving’, bears special significance — especially for the Dhoni-Virat relation.  There was a time when the sassy Ranchi boy successfully led three heavyweight former captains and managed two contenders, vouching for the same honour in one team. Not for once there were any doubts about who was calling the shots – such was the man’s leadership skills. But this time around, after a little over nine years he will dawn the gloves for an Indian side that would not be entirely his, though, it would need all of his passive leadership on its quest to conquer the world, a role played by Tendulkar with unmatchable tenacity for over a decade. Dhoni’s decision to step aside to formally announce the ‘Men in Blue’ as ‘Virat’s team’ has laid a concrete-like foundation for what could turn out to be the most crucial partnership for Indian cricket in recent times -- the chalk and cheese combination of Virat and Dhoni, which has so far bore rich fruits with Dhoni always being at the forefront and Virat carrying his supernatural form with the bat. Come January 15, the combination will see a decisive change in its formation that will either strengthen the Indian outfit or can very well act as a repulsive force for its final destination. For, Virat, nothing much will change, apart from a transformation from whites to blues but for Dhoni it can be different ball game altogether, as the man has not turned up only as a player for nearly a decade, barring a couple of domestic Vijay Hazare games. Known for his free thinking and uncanny ability to spring in a surprise in the cricket field, Dhoni will face his first hurdle in the first India Vs England ODI. It may well be Virat’s decision to permanently push him to No. 4 or to entrust comeback-man Yuvraj Singh with a secured middle order slot—both for which Dhoni has shown his long time reluctance that may spark off a misunderstanding or two between the two stalwarts. Virat, however has indicated that Dhoni will always remain his captain. For Virat also, it will be challenge to grow from an advisory to a decision maker for Dhoni. The biggest challenge though, for the new Virat-Dhoni combination will be to structure the Indian limited over side, which unlike the Test outfit raises more questions than it answers as of now. Hence, it becomes ever so important for the former captain and the newly appointed one to work in perfect coordination, not only to guide the likes of Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav and KL Rahul but also to prolong mutual goals — to continue his heroics with the bat for Virat and play carefree cricket for Dhoni. When the first ball is bowled at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune, Indian cricket will enter into its new era with Virat the captain and unleash Dhoni, the fearless keeper-batsman of old – both pivotal for India’s future success.