Dhoni and Kohli: Converting Art to Science

Australia vs India, 2nd ODI, Adelaide Oval

Around the 40th over mark, Virat Kohli dabbed a ball and sprinted through the pitch to convert a lazy single into a spirited two. It was classic Kohli that we have seen over the last decade. As soon as he finished the second however, we saw a rare sight — an uncharacteristic Kohli. He paused, took support of his bat and bent down to catch a few breaths. The machine was running out of fuel. A few overs later, he took a break to get his clothes changed — which were dripping in sweat. Perhaps he lost focus during this break as he got out the very next ball — hitting the ball at Deep Mid Wicket right where the fielder was placed.

Few overs later, we something similar. Between the overs, Dhoni fell flat on his back, gasping for air. While he was still sprinting between the wickets, the fatigue was visible.

It was rather unbelievable to witness two of the fittest players in the Indian team reduced to this. Kohli’s fitness is in fact considered on par with Novak Djokovic, arguably the fittest athlete on the planet. Dhoni actually made fitness a mandatory requirement in the Indian team.

Kohli and Dhoni have together revolutised the art of chasing in ODIs (and T20s). India were once terrible chasers. Remember the 1 run loss against Australia in 1992 WC? The forgettable semi against SL in 1996? The agonising 3 run loss against Zimbabwe in 1999 WC? Yet another loss against SL in 2007 WC? The anguish after watching a masterful 175 by Tendulkar go in vain at Hyderabad?

Under their leadership, Indian is now the best chasing team in ODI history.

Experts say that chasing is an art. While batting first is considered a huge advantage in cricket, these two have reversed the equation. They have converted the art of chasing into a science. In fact, it is so easy that they can write an entire handbook on it.

Their secret? Avoid. Dot. Balls. Convert 1s to 2s. Convert 2s to 3s. Avoid big shots until necessary. Build an ocean by collecting drops — for 20, 30, even 40 overs. It is that simple. This is the science. This is the handbook. Whether the asking rate is 6, 7 or 10 runs per over— the same runbook applies.

Lets look at the stats. Shaun Marsh scored a brilliant 131; 48% of these runs came in boundaries. Kohli made 104, only 31% of which were 4s and 6s. Dhoni’s stats were even more astonishing. His run-a-ball 55, came with only 2 6s, a mere 22% in boundaries. They were not just running for themselves. Dinesh Karthik himself, who was given credit to control the match after Kohli departed ran a lot too (boundaries comprised only 32% of his runs). Dhoni — the 37 year old veteran — urged him on. Karthik scored at two runs a ball.

Overall, the Indian team today scored 38 less runs in boundaries compared to Australia. To put it correctly, they ran 38 more runs than the Aussies.

The Kohli-Dhoni partnership was a stark contrast to the Rohit Sharma-Dhoni partnership in the first ODI. While boundaries came in bulk from Rohit, singles and twos were hard. Not only do these dots accumulate pressure, the 4s and 6s come with a greater risk. And they are mentally more taxing. As great as Rohit’s innings was, no wonder India was not able to sustain the momentum once he departed. The tension was high in the first ODI and victory was in no means guaranteed.

Today the chase looked easy and uneventful. There was never a moment where one felt that something extreme — like a slog here or a run-out there — may happen. It was all planned brilliantly and executed perfectly. The victory was such a foregone conclusion that it felt boring. Thats the degree to which these two guys have revolutionised the art of chasing.

It was 42 degrees at Adelaide Oval and extremely humid. Kohli’s and Dhoni’s clothes had gone white with all the salt that perspired from their bodies. Even in this heat, even when they fell flat, even they gasped for breath, they ran and sprinted. They never took an unnecessary risk. The recipe for chasing may look simple, but it can bring down even the best on their knees in unfavourable conditions. But those who survive it become true champions of the game.