“I am the main culprit” - When MS Dhoni’s cold statement stunned everyone following India’s 7 consecutive away Test losses in 2011-12

Former Indian captain MS Dhoni has been upfront about the game and players throughout his career. Yet, it was a massive surprise to everyone concerned when he blamed himself for India's brutal stretch in Test cricket in the 2011/12 season.

Following the high of the 2011 ODI World Cup triumph, Team India suffered a humiliating 0-4 Test series whitewash in England under Dhoni. Things only got worse when India went down 0-3 in their next away series in Australia later in the season.

With the four-match series decided after India's heavy defeat in the third Test at Perth, Dhoni took the bulk of the blame, saying (via ESPN Cricinfo):

"I need to blame myself. I am the leader of the side. I am the main culprit so of course I blame myself. [For] Not getting runs more because tactics is something you do on the field depending on the execution of all the players. Ultimately execution is important."

He added:

"As far as the amount of cricket that I have seen this is definitely one of the worst phases where we have not done well consistently. Again I am repeating myself, four Tests in England, three Tests here, we have not put runs on the board. [In] Bowling, I think [in] England because of injuries we had a bit of a setback."

Dhoni scored 102 runs through the first three Australian Tests at an average of 20.40 with a lone half-century in three innings. He got banned for the final Test at Adelaide due to slow over-rates as India suffered a second consecutive 0-4 away series whitewash.

MS Dhoni and six others inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame

MS Dhoni and six other cricketers have been added to the ICC Hall of Fame on Monday, June 9, for their incredible contributions to the sport. The 43-year-old was joined by Hashim Amla, Daniel Vettori, Graeme Smith, and Matthew Hayden among the men cricketers in the distinct list.

Female legends Sarah Taylor and Sana Mir joined the five male cricketers in the Hall of Fame.

Dhoni is among India's most accomplished cricketers, with over 17,000 international runs and 16 centuries. He is also third all-time in wicketkeeping dismissals with 829 in 538 games.

The individual numbers aside, MS Dhoni is India's most successful captain across formats, winning 178 out of 332 matches. Team India won the 2007 and 2011 T20 and ODI World Cups and the 2013 Champions Trophy under him.