Despite the fact that 2018 was one of the worst years for the former Indian skipper MS Dhoni, a couple of match-winning knocks against Australia at the start of 2019 was enough to silence his critics. Dhoni had faced flak all around the world for his displays last year against England, in Asia Cup and against Windies at home. However, he has again proved that form is temporary while class is permanent.
Dhoni started 2019 on a bitter-sweet note, scoring a fifty in the first ODI against Australia but with a slow strike-rate. However, he faced criticism for consuming as many as 96 deliveries as India lost the game by 34 runs. But in just the following game, he proved his worth with both wicketkeeping gloves as well as the bat.
India win the match and the series! Dhoni has done it again to guide them home unbeaten on 87* with four balls to spare: https://t.co/6xmi9N8VsW #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/44dGhxldTL
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 18, 2019
MS scored an unbeaten half-century and shared fifty-plus stands with Virat Kohli and Dinesh Karthik to take India home and level the series. On Friday, he once again starred with the bat, he scored 87* as India beat Australia by 7 wickets to win the three-match series 2-1. It is India’s first bilateral ODI series win Down Under.
WATCH – MS Dhoni And Kedar Jadhav Seals The Series For India
Promoted at number four, Dhoni came to the crease when India was struggling at 59 for 2 in the 17th over. India then found themselves in further trouble after being reduced to 113 for 3 when Jhye Richardson dismissed Kohli. India was staring down the barrel. However, Dhoni once again showed his class, mastering another chase to fire India to a monumental win. He along with Kedar Jadhav, who scored 61, shared an unbeaten 121-run stand to take India home.
Dhoni deservedly won the Man of the Series for scoring 193 runs at an average of 193 in the series. He finished the series as India’s highest run-scorer. Speaking about the match, the calm and composed MS Dhoni opened up on his knock and his plan. He also made it clear that he is ready to bat wherever the team wants him to.
During the post-match presentation, he said, “It was a slow wicket, so it was difficult to hit whenever you wanted to. No point going after the bowlers who were bowling well, so we wanted to take it deep and that was the plan. Kedar did a great job in executing. I am happy to bat at any number. The important thing is where the team needs me. I can’t say I can’t bat at No. 6 after playing 14 years.”
