Mahendra Singh Dhoni should be banned from representing India ever again

Only two Indian Test players have ever left a series overseas – Lala Amarnath and Navjot Singh Sidhu. Both were branded as villains, and traitors… and this gentleman leaves a series, that too as captain, and is then eulogized!

His seventh Test series defeat in three and a half years, and we say his ‘brand’ is still intact. He had not played any competitive cricket for two months before the second Test, and we take him back as both captain and player.

Pataudi as captain lost three overseas tours spread over five years – West Indies, England, and Australia – he then led us to our first overseas Test tour victory ever, against New Zealand in early ‘68 –and for the next overseas tour, he is sacked.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni chooses to exit before he is removed – and with arrogance, such blind faith in his image.

He should be banned from representing India ever again. He has not only broken his contract, he has broken a sacred bond with those of us who truly love Indian cricket and he does not give a damn. Why? Because he is the corporate favourite, the boss’ and the bosses’ favourite, and for them losing  or winning is not important, it is all ‘brand’ and money and such total and utter rubbish.

And former players sing his praises, and BCCI lackeys sing his praises, and only a few brave journalists speak the truth.

The departure of Dhoni is not only about cricket – it is much more about what has become of much of our country – money is everything, brand is everything, image is everything—history and truth and facts are a waste of time – as long as you are seen on TV everyday, who cares who you really are and what you are really doing.

And we will* win the last Test, as we nearly did the first – think of why.

*An earlier version of this story mistakenly said that India would not win the last Test. It has been amended to reflect the view of the author.