The cricketers are deemed greedy, the management incapable, and the call is always for rebuilding the team.

Dhoni’s disadvantage is that while players usually go through such ups and downs even before they get the captain’s job, he has lived a charmed life in which questions have never been asked. As a batsman, he’s seamlessly changed gears right from the time he announced his arrival by scoring a blistering 148 against Pakistan in Visakhapatnam. As a captain, he’s backed his players, battled the selectors, given it back to the opposition with strokes of sudden genius, taken hard decisions about the seniors, and referred to India as “my team” without a hint of insecurity.

How he reacts now, with fingers pointed in his direction, will determine his true character. This T20 defeat is a defining moment in his reign as captain, a watershed of sorts that will provide the first sign of how Dhoni will be remembered in history — as a captain who had a great run while it lasted, or as a leader who taught India to win not just the odd match overseas but to capture series after series irrespective of opposition and location.

It has begun, indeed. Will Dhoni be able to dictate how it ends?

kunal.pradhan@expressindia.com