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Dhoni, the man with the Midas touch

January 07, 2011 11:10 IST

Dhoni became first Indian captain not to lose a series on South African soil. He thus prolonged his record of not losing a Test series as a captain.

Dhoni, who started off as a stop-gap captain only, captaining India for the first time in a Test against South Africa in 2007-08, when regular captain Anil Kumble was not available has been enjoying success since then. During that seires, India were trailing in the series 0-1 after two Tests. But Dhoni helped India in levelling the series by winning the Kanpur Test. He has not looked back since.

Rajneesh Gupta lists out the series in which Dhoni has led India in at least 2 matches or more: 

Series Season Result
v Australia in India+ 2008-09 won the 4-match series 2-0
v England in India 2008-09 won the 2 match series 1-0
v New Zealand in NZ* 2008-09 won the 3 match series 1-0
v Sri Lanka in India 2009-10 won the 3 match series 2-0
v South Africa in India 2009-10 drawn the 2 match series 1-1 (coming from behind)
v Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka 2010 drawn the 3 match series 1-1 (coming from behind)
v Australia in India 2010-11 won the 2 match series 2-0
v New Zealand in India 2010-11 won the 3 match series 1-0
v South Africa in SA 2010-11 drawn the 3 match series 1-1 (coming from behind)

+ the series comprised four matches, but Dhoni captained only in two. Kumble captained in other two.

* the series comprised three matches, but Dhoni captained only in two (first & third). Sehwag captained in the second drawn Test.

Dhoni's captaincy record in Tests:

Matches- 24
Won -14
Lost -- 3
Drawn -- 7