It's time for Africa: MS Dhoni

The setting was virtually the same: dim lights, a glass facade, eager journalists, a hardnosed media manager and a smiling captain.

The last time MS Dhoni strode into the Grand Hyatt in Andheri (East), he was hounded. The Regency Ballroom, located in a far corner of the five-star property’s ground floor, resembled a ‘crime branch’ office. Khaki-clad men of all ranks strutted their walkie-talkies, lathis, pistols and guns. There were a few ‘black cats’ too — bandanas, Kalashnikovs and all that. Why, there was even a fleet of lady officers.

Dhoni, a good 20 minutes late, was here to take questions prior to the team’s departure to the United Kingdom for the ICC Champions Trophy. Expectedly, he was bombarded with queries on S Sreesanth, Gurunath Meiyappan, Vindoo Dara Singh and all things IPL. RN Baba had used the phrase ‘next question, please’ to good effect that evening, often inviting the ire of the red-faced media contingent.

That was May 28. Fast-forward to Sunday and Dhoni — this time in charge of a young team embarking on a truncated but no less challenging tour of South Africa — answered each of the 16 questions with ease, often gesticulating to stress his point.

Baba didn’t smile but he acknowledged every raised hand and Chetan Desai, the team manager, seemed all too dazed. There was just one policeman in sight and the press conference started two minutes before the scheduled time of 5 pm.

Nine hours before flying out of Mumbai, Dhoni was reminded — not for the first time — that a certain Sachin Tendulkar wouldn’t be on that plane to South Africa.

“I think what’s fairly important is that they have good amount of exposure even though it’s ODIs outside India. That always helps you adjust to the pace and bounce of the wicket. When you go into a new place, how quickly you adjust (is important). So I think it will be a new challenge for all of them,” he said.

In a series that’s been reduced to just 25 days, Dhoni and his boys will play three ODIs, a two-day practice game and two Test matches from December 5 to 30.

In all these years, India have won just two Tests in South Africa and, come to think of it, the heroes of Johannesburg 2007 (Sreesanth) and Durban 2010 (VVS Laxman) aren’t around. Nor are Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir.

“One thing is for sure: if you don’t perform, it does not matter whether it’s your first match or 50th. If you don’t perform, you will be criticised,” Dhoni said.

Spare a thought for him. He’s leading a bunch of novices to the most challenging of dens, but is unlikely to get any breathing space. 

“They will need to know what they need to do to deliver,” he said of the Shikhar Dhawans, Rohit Sharmas, Mohammed Shamis and Bhuvneshwar Kumars.

“A few of them have played (in South Africa). Overall, if you see, someone like Shikhar has got experience of playing outside India, especially on ‘A’ tours.”

Dhoni said he was looking forward to an exciting series, but the skipper did agree to the fact that the tour would be a test of sorts.

“Their fast bowlers know which length to bowl. We have to adjust to the bounce and see which balls to leave. I think that will be a factor.”

Dhoni did not reveal much about the composition of the XI but hinted that he would go in with six specialist batsmen. So, who’ll bat at No. 4?

“If possible we’ll omit that position and line it up as one, two, three, five and six,” Dhoni joked.

“Whoever bats at that slot, it is important not to put pressure on him. Who will bat at that slot? We have not decided yet. Every slot is important. There won’t be anyone replacing any particular individual. Each one will bring his own character to the team,” he added.

So will it be the red-hot Virat Kohli or his good friend Rohit Sharma? Let’s leave it to Dhoni.