Dujon pat thrills Dhoni

The Indian skipper may not be the most stylish stumper or the most elegant batsman, but he takes pride in getting the job done. In a glowing thumbs-up, former West Indian wicket-keeper Jeff Dujon recently referred to him as an ‘excellent package,’ a compliment that thrilled the Indian skipper no end.

“It's a big compliment for me,” Dhoni acknowledged. “As I often say, I am more of a package than a specialist. I'm neither an extraordinary batsman nor a specialist ’keeper. But it's all about doing the things right. It does not matter how you catch the ball, so long as you take the edges and do the stumpings. It's also important to score runs at a time when the team needs it the most.

“I'm really happy for the compliments, but evolving as a wicket-keeper is a constant process. I hope to keep doing well and keep grooming the department I am supposed to specialise in. I hope I will be a specialist one day.”

Tuesday’s 144 was Dhoni’s fifth Test century, but his first since making an unbeaten 134 against South Africa at the same Eden Gardens in February 2010. “He (Kemar Roach) got me out thrice,” Dhoni laughed, referring to being caught behind twice off no-balls when 13 and 16, before eventually falling to the same bowler, again caught behind.

“It was a good wicket to bat on. Initially, I tried to play big shots but they didn’t come off. Then I gave myself a bit more time,” he said.