Dhoni impresses as leader and player

As might be expected from a novice, Sharma held nothing back, charging to the crease and mixing corkers with wides and no-balls. Youth knows nothing of mortality let alone fear. In his enthusiasm, he over-pitched and suffered as Matthew Hayden drove sumptuously. His first two overs cost 24 runs and the scoreboard was rattling along.

Now Dhoni faced his most important decision of the day. A lesser man might have withdrawn Sharma until his blood had cooled. Sri Lanka had made this mistake in the previous match at the SCG, scattering the field at the first sight of an antipodean charge. That's no way to beat these hosts. This is a confronting continent of fires and drought.

Dhoni proved his worth by telling Sharma to have another crack. Wisely, he did not ask him to cut his pace but instead suggested pulling back his length a foot or so (one of Ian Thorpe's pedals might have been required). Encouraged, Sharma produced a vivid spell that changed the course of the match.

He averages 43 and has a strike-rate of 94, whereas Gilchrist averages in the mid-30s and scores at 96.

Two years ago Dhoni smashed Gilchrist's record for the highest score by a wicketkeeper, 172, when he smashed 183 not out from 145 balls with 10 sixes against Sri Lanka.

He's no part-timer with the gloves, either, impressing during the Test series with footwork that compared more than favourably with the Australian's fading efforts.