Gambhir feels Dhoni could have broken more records if played as top order batsman for India

We all know what MS Dhoni has done to Indian cricket over the years.  Mahendra Singh Dhoni is regarded as one of the greatest cricketer ever played for India.  Dhoni played his last one-day international game in July 2019 against New Zealand in World Cup Semi-Final. Dhoni scored 10773 runs in ODI having an average of more than 50 playing at different positions.  Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir said that MS Dhoni would have broken many records had he not captained India and played at number 3.


Gautam Gambhir believes World Cricket would see a different player if M.S.Dhoni batted out at No.3 and not handed Captaincy. He could have broken many records if he batted as a top-order batsman.

Dhoni made his debut for India in 2004 at the age of 23 vs Bangladesh. However, he could only manage to score 19 runs in 3 matches. After scoring a quickfire 148 runs knock of 123 balls vs Pakistan at Vizag in 2005. Since then dhoni established himself as an important batsman in the Indian lineup. During the initial days, Dhoni is known for his hitting ability, stroke play, and fearless batting in International Cricket.

Gambhir on Star Sports show 'Cricket Connected'

Probably world cricket has missed one thing... that is MS (Dhoni) captained India and did not bat at No. 3. Had MS batted at No. 3, probably world cricket would have seen a completely different player

He feels MS would have got so many runs if he batted at no.3 and not Captained India. MS Dhoni batting at No. 3 on flat wickets with the quality of bowling attack now in world cricket. Look at Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and West Indies in the current situation, with the quality there is no international cricket.

Records are meant to be broken but he feels cricket has missed a completely different player.

Dhoni has played his most of the career as a middle-order batsman and scored 10773 runs in 350 ODI's. He has an average of 50+ and a strike rate of 87. With his Captaincy skills and batting, he remained as one of the great players and finisher in World Cricket. He has scored 6641 runs in 200 ODI as captain standing behind former Australia captain Ricky Pointing who is the highest run-getter as captain in ODI captain.

Dhoni stats playing at different Positions :

Pos	Inns	No	100	50	HS	Runs	Avg	S/R	Cat	St
Opening	2	0	0	1	96	98	49.0	86.73	2	0
3	16	4	2	6	183*	993	82.75	99.70	13	8
4	30	6	1	12	109*	1358	56.58	92.82	30	17
5	83	20	4	18	134	3169	50.30	86.16	71	25
6	129	41	1	30	139*	4164	47.32	83.82	103	43
7	34	13	2	6	139*	940	44.36	93.72	41	15
8	3	0	0	0	20	51	17.0	62.20	2	0
Overall	297	84	10	73	183*	10773	50.58	87.56	321	123

Dhoni has created a lot of impact as a Top-order batsman during the initial days. Look at the table above, at No.3 he has scored 993 runs at an impressive average of 82. He has also done a great job playing at No.4 which is a drawback in the Indian team nowadays. After Dhoni handed over the captaincy in 2007 he played most of his career at no.5 and 6 and doing the finishing job and become the best finisher for India.

As a top-order batsman, Dhoni becomes the fastest player to reach No.1 batsman in ICC ODI Rankings replacing Ricky Pointing. Dhoni also has a strike rate of 100+. He becomes No.1 ODI Batsman in just 42 innings.

As a captain, Dhoni becomes the only Captain to win all ICC trophies(ICC World Cup 2011, ICC T20 WorldCup 2007, ICC Champions Trophy 2013).

Comment your views "What if Dhoni played as a top-order batsman and not captained India?"

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Sources: Times of India

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