A return to form for Dhoni

MS Dhoni has had a forgettable first two Tests, but managed to hit some form in Edgbaston. Sandeep Dwivedi writes in the Indian Express about how Dhoni reverted to the carefree, stroke-maker that he was early in his career.

There are days when one cannot help referring to Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni as just Mahi — the boy from Ranchi who didn't hone his cricketing skills at some reputed cricket academy but till late in life was a football goalkeeper. When Dhoni broke into India's celebrated batting line-up — one that had men with perfect high left elbows, men who seamlessly transferred their weight into silken touch — he stuck out with his less-refined brand of batting.

But like in the past while dealing with a run slump, Dhoni turned into Mahi as he faced possibly the biggest test of his captaincy career.

In the Guardian, Vic Marks says this was the first time Dhoni played his natural game in this series.

Dhoni was able to emulate what Broad achieved in Nottingham, when England were 124 for eight. He dragged the Indian score not as far as respectability but at least beyond calamitous. Uncomplicated aggression was rewarded and, briefly, India appeared to be back in the game. The field spread, the run rate galloped and the bowlers became a little ragged. This tends to happen to all bowlers when they are attacked successfully. It is one of the merits of taking the bold course.

Scyld Berry writes in the Daily Telegraph that though the innings showcased Dhoni's fighting qualities it is too soon to say that 'Dhoni is back'.