5 takeaways for Captain Dhoni from the Ashes

A predictable outcome notwithstanding, the recently concluded Ashes has presented Indian captain MS Dhoni with a lot to ponder ahead of the busy 2013/14 Test season.

Here's a lowdown on what Indian cricket - Dhoni in particular can learn from the 3-0 bashing that Poms handed over to the pitiable Aussies.  

1) Old is invariably gold : At an age when many quicks are seeking post retirement benefits in the Twenty20 leagues or easing their aching bones into commentary boxes and coaching gigs, Ryan Harris, 33, was Australia's man of the series in the Ashes tour - claiming 24 wickets at 19.58 in four matches. That was the first time he has ever played four Tests in a row due to a career-long battle with fitness problems. Indeed, he has worn the Baggy Green just 16 times since his debut in March 2010 despite being considered one of his country's most incisive bowlers and boasting a superb record.

It would be detrimental to India's chances of succeeding overseas if MS Dhoni fails to pick a certain Zaheer Khan - form and fitness permitting for India's tour of South Africa later this year as the premier strike bowler's  years of experience at the international level would prove invaluable to the team.

2) Stable opening partnership : For time immemorial, the hallmark of a successful Test team has invariably been in possessing a stable opening pair. While England made a contentious selection in promoting Joe Root to open the batting with captain Alastair Cook, the team management was sensible enough in giving the opening combine a long rope by sticking to it in all the matches. Contrasting in approach, Australian team management tested as many as three different opening combinations in the series, with Chris Rogers, David Warner and Shane Watson opening at different points of the series.

Continuous chopping and changing of batting order shatters the confidence of players and Dhoni would do well to remember that  while the two Indian Test opener's  accession to the top table of international cricket is not yet assured, giving them a long rope would be in the best interest of Indian cricket.

3) Experience matters : At 35 years of age, Chris Rogers was never intended to be a long-term solution. The veteran opener was drafted into the side, in the hope he would provide a much-needed steady hand at the top of the order in back-to back Ashes contests and subsequently pave the way for the youngsters. Hailed as one of the few success stories for Australia (he made a ton and two-half centuries), Roger's vast experience has left him better equipped to handle the pressure and rigours of Test cricket than the twenty-somethings.

Having said that, much to Dhoni's chagrin, does this provide a glimmer of hope to Gambhir or perhaps even Sehwag? Only time will tell.

4) Importance of No. 3 :  Every good team has a strong No. 3 batsman and that's been evident in the most successful Test sides of recent times. South Africa has Hashim Amla, a run-making machine, Sri Lanka has the silky Kumar Sangakkara and Jonathan Trott performed a similar role for England until recently. It's no coincidence that Trott's slump in the Ashes coincided with England putting up lower totals. However, since Ponting  has retired, No. 3 has been an Achilles' heel during a period of limited Australian success. That's why the importance of Shane Watson's belligerent century at the Oval can't be overstated as it allowed Australia to dominate the hosts and set up a thrilling Ashes finale.   

And while India in the past had Rahul Dravid with his technical efficiency, Indian cricket would be served well  provided Dhoni sticks with Cheteshwar Pujara, who has a liking for big scores.

5) Similar pattern of team composition : Teams dominating Test cricket typically have a similar pattern of team composition especially when it comes to bowling. Australia in their prime had McGrath, Gillespie and Lee along with Warne. The current England team owes a large chunk of their success to bowlers like Anderson, Broad, Bresnan and Swann and their capability of taking 20 wickets in a Test.

India's relatively inexperienced attack comprising of Ishant, Umesh and Kumar along with Ashwin and Jadeja have proved to be highly successful at home on spin-friendly tracks. But with significant overseas tours in the offing, Dhoni's selection policy will play a key role in Team India's quest to attain the elusive No. 1 ranking in Test cricket.