For the last couple of years, ever since their World Twenty20 title in South Africa, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his team have strutted around the cricket world, imposing themselves on their opponents, showing no regard to either reputations or history. Australia were beaten in Australia, Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka, New Zealand in New Zealand—three boxes ticked, no sweat.

All along, Dhoni grew steadily into Indian cricket’s Mr Right: calm and confident on the field, honest and outspoken off it. He backed his players at selection meetings, lashed out at the selectors for leaking information, charmed the media and the fans with his growing assurance. Such has been the aura, that even when things went wrong, it wasn’t Dhoni’s captaincy that came under the scanner.

Which is why tomorrow’s match could well be one of the most important this side has played in a while. Beaten convincingly by the West Indies in their first Super 8s game on Friday night, India take on England in a must-win clash in the World Twenty20 championships at Lord’s, knowing full well that an early exit will bring with it more than just embarrassment.

A winning team, and a winning captain, sometimes get away with decisions that would otherwise come under scrutiny. Questions will be asked, for example, about the team’s decision to keep nets optional right through the trip. The players know their bodies, Dhoni has said, it’s an intense format and it’s good to get breaks (a valid argument considering how much cricket the Indian team have played of late). However, the team cancelling training altogether on the eve of the big match could backfire, especially after the sloppy effort in the field against the West Indies.

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