5 biggest Indian defeats under MS Dhoni's captaincy

MS Dhoni may be on his final legs as a cricketer with debates fierce on his future as a T20 international but the backing he has received from the who's who of the Indian team management just shows how highly he is still rated.

As the skipper of the Indian side who led the side to glory in the 2007 T20 World Cup, the 2011 ODI World Cup, and the 2013 Champions Trophy, Dhoni's name will forever be etched in the annals of Indian cricket history as a legend of the game.

He is statistically India's most successful skipper, its greatest wicket-keeper batsman and arguably, the greatest finisher in ODI history.

His calm and composed nature on the field, even in high-pressure situations, earned plaudits from the game's observers who hailed him as one of the best readers of the game.

However, there were times when this very same nature invited criticism from various quarters who felt that the former Indian skipper was helpless in a game slipping away, especially on foreign surfaces.

Dhoni fared much better in home conditions and in the limited-overs formats while his record in away matches and the Test format left a lot to be desired.

Here we take a look at 5 of the biggest losses India suffered under Dhoni's captaincy.

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#5 against New Zealand in Dambulla (ODI Tri-series, 2010 - Ind, SL, NZ)

The Indian batting line-up collapsed like a pack of cards against New Zealand

India headed into the tri-series involving Sri Lanka and New Zealand on the back of a strong showing in the 3-match Test series against the hosts which saw them came back from a ten-wicket loss in the opening match to finish the series level at 1-1.

The opening match of the ODI tri-series, which also happened to mark Kane Williamson's debut for New Zealand, turned out to be a forgettable day for MS Dhoni's side as they were bundled out for just 88 runs, losing the match by 200 runs.

Batting first, New Zealand made 288 with both Ross Taylor and Scott Styris scoring 95 and 89 respectively. India got off to a good start in reply, reaching 39 before the first wicket fell.

However, the rest of the Indian batting line-up fell like a pack of cards to be bowled out within 30 overs, adding only 49 runs further. The 200-run loss was India's 4th biggest loss in terms of margin of runs.

The Indian batting collapse was surprising, to say the least, considering that it came on a surface that should have suited them more than the Black Caps who have traditionally found the going tough on sub-continent pitches.

India did recover to make the final of the tournament but not before suffering another embarrassing loss, but this time against the hosts, who got the better of them in the final as well.

#4 against Sri Lanka at Dambulla (ODI Tri-series, 2010 - Ind, SL, NZ)

Thisira Perera picked up a 5-wicket haul as India suffered its biggest defeat in terms of balls remaining

The infamous Indian batting collapse made an unwelcome appearance for the second time during the 2010 ODI tri-series involving Sri Lanka and New Zealand as MS Dhoni's side were bowled out for a paltry total of 103 runs against the hosts after being 50-2 at one stage.

To add to the embarrassment of the Indian team, Sri Lanka chased down the total in just 15.1 overs, subjecting India to its biggest defeat in ODIs in terms of balls remaining.

Thisira Perera led to the visitors' downfall on the day as he picked up a 5-wicket haul while Yuvraj Singh was India's top-scorer with 38.

Sri Lanka wasted little time in chasing down the target as they got there losing just 2 wickets along the way.

#3 against England at Kennington Oval, 2014 - 5th Test

Despite the famous win at Lord's, India's England tour in 2014 turned out to be a big nightmare

England was Dhoni's biggest nemesis as skipper of the Indian cricket team, especially in the Test format, losing 9 of the 15 matches in which he captained the side, including the 4-0 drubbing when India toured England in 2011.

Things started on a better note though, the next time India visited England as they drew the first Test at Trent Bridge before scripting a famous win at Lord's in the second Test on the back of Ishant Sharma's short-ball heroics.

However, things went horribly wrong for the Indian side after that as they were completely outplayed by the hosts in the remaining three Tests, with the biggest defeat coming in the final match of the 5-Test series played at the Kennington Oval.

India offered little resistance throughout the match as they were bowled out for 148 and 94. England's first-innings total of 486 proved more than enough in the end as MS Dhoni and his boys had little to offer in their fight to level the series.

The loss by an innings and 244 runs was India's third-biggest in Test history based on innings margin and the match and the series would have long-term implications, with Ravi Shastri being named as Team India director following the series.

Dhoni bid farewell to the Test format less than a year later and the recurring losses on foreign soil, including the two series losses against England, no doubt played a major role in Dhoni's decision.

#2 against England at Mumbai (2nd Test, England tour of India, 2012/13)

Pietersen's ton against India during the 2012 Mumbai Test is counted among his best knocks for England

Dhoni, by and large, had a formidable record at home as skipper of the Indian Test team, with the 8 victories against Australia in as many matches, the obvious highlight.

However, England got the better of India under Dhoni's captaincy even on home conditions, winning the four-Test series in 2012/13, 2-1, which included a 10-wicket win at the iconic Wankhede stadium in Mumbai.

The series began on a good note for the hosts as they won the first Test by 9 wickets and MS Dhoni found favour with the toss in the second match and elected to bat first as is the norm in home Test matches.

Despite Pujaar's majestic knock of 135, India could only manage a total of 327 in their first innings. Centuries by Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen meant that England were able to build an 86-run first innings lead.

The home crowd might have hoped for a comeback from the Indian side but the second innings turned out to be a disaster as they were bowled out for just 142 runs. Only Gautam Gambhir and Ravichandran Ashwin managed to reach double figures for the hosts.

Needing 58 to win the match, England romped home with ten wickets in hand. They would carry forward the momentum to win the third Test as well and a draw in the fourth and final Test meant that England won the series 2-1.

#1 against Bangladesh at Dhaka (2nd ODI, 3-match ODI series, 2015)

Mustafizur Rahman broke onto the international stage in style, picking up 13 wickets in the series

Bangladesh have made large strides in international cricket over the past few years and a major turning point in their cricket history was their victory over England at the 2015 World Cup.

The Tigers also fought a fierce contest against India, with Rohit Sharma's controversial escape after being caught off a tight no-ball call, leading to the wrath of the vociferous Bangladeshi fans.

The two teams would face off a few months later and this time around it was Bangladesh who triumphed in a three-match ODI series that saw the emergence of Mustafizur Rahman into international cricket.

The series was undoubtedly an embarrassing one for Dhoni as skipper as the full-strength Indian side suffered back-to-back defeats in the first two ODIs to surrender the series.

The team's failure to bounce back from the defeat in the 1st ODI was very disappointing, to say the least as they were bundled out for just 200, despite winning the toss and electing to bat first.

Rahman took 6 wickets in the match but MS Dhoni couldn't inspire any such magic from his bowlers as the hosts chased down the target comfortably with six wickets in hand.

It was a series that signalled the beginning of the end for Dhoni as skipper of the side with India losing the next two ODI series under Dhoni's captaincy against South Africa and Australia before finishing off on a winning note with a 3-2 series win over New Zealand.