Dhoni - Best ODI Batsman Of All Time ?

[salman85]

Another ODI match.Another instance of India facing defeat.

And another masterclass by Dhoni.

Surely, after all these years now, and all the top drawer performances, he should rank as the greatest ODI batsman of all time. Ahead of the likes of Bevan and co.

Or is that still an exaggeration ?

 

[harsh.ag]

Sorry, no. Probably in the top 2 one day finishers of all time along with Bevan. Good enough to get in the side with his batting. But Tendulkar and Viv (and a few others) still way ahead of him on the ODI batting front as a whole. The man is a rockstar though

 

[kyear2]

Sorry, no. Probably in the top 2 one day finishers of all time along with Bevan. Good enough to get in the side with his batting. But Tendulkar and Viv (and a few others) still way ahead of him on the ODI batting front as a whole. The man is a rockstar though

One of those times that I fully agree. Viv and Tendulkar are without question 1 and 2 in which ever order one may choose to place them. Dhoni continues to grow his legacy though.

 

[Burgey]

I think Dhoni is getting to the point where he belongs in the argument.

 

[Jono]

I think Dhoni is getting to the point where he belongs in the argument.

Yep. He's not a clear cut "oh he's definitely number 1" but you definitely cannot scoff at the suggestion that he's the best anymore.

One of the Pakistani fans on this forum said Dhoni would end up the best ODI bat of all time by the end of his career a few years ago. Can't recall who it was. May not be a bad prediction at all.

 

[ankitj]

Xuhaib has been saying for long time (even before the 2011 world cup) that Dhoni is probably the greatest ODI cricketer ever.

I think he is firmly in the elite 4 comprising the names mentioned so far in the thread.

 

[Jono]

Yep. Xuhaib was saying cricketer but not sure if he was saying batsman at the time (maybe he was).

But yes I was pretty sure it was Xuhaib but didn't want to say him if it was in fact someone else.

 

[Red]

I think Dhoni is the best ever at the "finishing" role.

Certainly not unreasonable to think he's one of the best ODI batsmen of all time.

 

[bagapath]

can make it to the AT ODI XI as a batsman alone, at 6, without pushing Gilly out of the opener's role (with Tendulkar).

when dhoni plays cricket of any format, I am honestly transported back to the time when I would be able to smell the leather in my palms all the time and see the pink stain from the shiny new ball on all my trousers; when I would permanently feel the dull ache on my shin and the bones wherever the ball might have hit me. he makes me feel clear-headed, like you feel after a good jog, every time he takes an uncomplicated cricketing decision on the field and executes it to perfection. he reminds me that cricket is a very physical game; and that analyzing the strategies, breaking down the stats, and even watching it live can never match the pleasure of actually playing it.

 

[Cruxdude]

Surely in the discussion for all time best. The ease and regularity with which he finishes these games just defies belief. Still has time and could very well end up at the very top.

 

[Red]

I posted somewhere else on this site recently about AB DeVil's insane batting record in ODIs as keeper. I think it's not unrealistic to have three keepers in an ATG ODI team at the moment!

- S. Tendulkar
- A. Gilchrist
- R. Ponting
- AB DeVilliers
- V. Richards
- MS Dhoni

 

[ankitj]

There is Hashim Amla too who can easily rise to the top end of the ODI greats.

 

[CwAvi]

He probably is the best ODI finisher of all time along with Bevan.A finisher should never be compared with top order batsmen.

As far as batting abilities are concerned,Sachin and Viv are far ahead of him.

 

[Salamuddin]

Never saw Viv at his best but I reckon Dhoni's a better ODI bat than Tendulkar and Bevan.

Plays under pressure a lot better than Sachin and I just think he was a better finisher than Bevo. He scored quicker than Bevan and I think he had the ability to shift into that extra explosive gear that Bevan never had.

Throw in the way that he's a wicketkeeper and a very good ODI captain - Viv may have been the better batsman but Dhoni surely has a case for finest ODi cricketer of all time.

 

[King Pietersen]

He's no Ashton Agar.

But seriously, as much as I dislike watching the bloke bat, he's definitely up there. Probably put Sir Viv, Sachin and Bevan ahead of him though.

 

[Daemon]

He probably is the best ODI finisher of all time along with Bevan.A finisher should never be compared with top order batsmen.

As far as batting abilities are concerned,Sachin and Viv are far ahead of him.

He's played so many gun knocks coming in early, it's really not too difficult to compare him with top order bats. Has an excellent record batting at any stage of the innings and at any given position. Majority of his centuries have been when he's promoted himself up the order in the past to give stability to tough chases alongside Yuvraj. He hasn't done it now for a long time due to the emergence of Kohli and the way the Indian side is balanced, but it just goes to show he's probably one of, if not the most versatile batsmen around.

I don't know whether he's as good as or better than Viv or Sachin, but he's not too far behind at the very least.

Think he's gone past Bevan personally.

 

[Migara]

I do agree that he's the best finisher.

*in before Ikki*

 

[MrPrez]

I agree that he's up there. Definitely.

Of course this next point is massively biased, but by the end of their careers, I believe both Hashim Amla and ABDV will be considered at a similar level to MSD. Obviously Hashim hasn't proven it over a long period of time, but I do believe he can maintain ODI dominance, if not necessarily at a ridiculous average of 55.

For now I'd definitely have Dhoni rated higher than both due to his longevity. But if AB and Hash maintain their levels of performance, I reckon we'll have two more to add to that Dhoni tier.

Which makes one wonder if Dhoni is genuinely up there with Viv and SRT, given that people playing in the same era as him can keep up with him. That wasn't really the case for Viv and SRT.

 

[honestbharani]

Yep. Xuhaib was saying cricketer but not sure if he was saying batsman at the time (maybe he was).

But yes I was pretty sure it was Xuhaib but didn't want to say him if it was in fact someone else.

Xuhaib also had the hots for Kohli.. #jonomultialert

 

[honestbharani]

can make it to the AT ODI XI as a batsman alone, at 6, without pushing Gilly out of the opener's role (with Tendulkar).

when dhoni plays cricket of any format, I am honestly transported back to the time I would be able to smell the leather in my palms all the time and see the pink stain from the shiny new ball on all my trousers; when I would permanently feel the dull ache on my shin and the bones wherever the ball might have hit me. he makes me feel clear-headed, like you feel after a good jog, every time he takes an uncomplicated cricketing decision on the field and executes it to perfection. he reminds me that cricket is a very physical game; and that analyzing the strategies, breaking down the stats, and even watching it live can never match the pleasure of actually playing it.

Dude, I cant get that romantic writing about my fiancee.. You tryin to be Sakshi's competition?


Juz kiddin mate.. I totally get what you said. That is how I used to feel watching BCL bat.. It was just suddenly more than just a game, more than about winning or losing, or about numbers and targets.. It was an art, a science and almost an Act of God