Mahendra Singh Dhoni Saves India Blushes After Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina Fail Again
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who had come when India were at 82-3, took his time before opening up to smash a 86-ball 92.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni snubbed critics with a well-paced 86-ball 92 even as India's youthforce led by Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan once again failed to deliver in the second ODI in Indore on Wednesday. Dhoni powered India to 247 for nine in their 50 overs, a total that looked improbable when the hosts were 165 for seven wickets in the 40th over. (SCORECARD | NEWS |VIDEOS | BLOG)
Axar Patel then weaved his magic with the ball by picking up three wickets, which included the wickets of Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis and in-form Jean-Paul Duminy to help India beat the visitors by 22 runs.ÂÂ
The Indian skipper, who won the man-of-the-match award for his innings, had been on the hit-list of critics due to his recent strings of poor scores. However, he found a perfect way to answer his detractors as he smashed his way to a 57-ball half-century. Dhoni reached his 60th ODI half-century with a huge six of part-time off-spinner JP Duminy.(The Great Dhoni Debate)
Dhoni, who had come to the crease with India at 82-3, took his time in the middle before opening up. He stitched a crucial 41 runs with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, when India were reeling at 124-6. Dhoni smashed seven fours and four sixes in his sizzling innings.('Dhoni Still India's Best Finisher')
After India lost the Twenty20 series and the first ODI in Kanpur, Dhoni has been subject to much criticism. Former teammate Ajit Agarkar even questioned his worth in the team. But Dhoni showed why he was still indispensable.
Dhoni kept his composure, played the big strokes when needed and never ran out of wisdom during pressure moments. He nursed Harbhajan Singh (22 off 22 balls) and Bhuvneshwar from time to time and rotated the strike to gain maximum exposure against the South African pacers.
On Tuesday, former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar had slammed critics who had written Dhoni off as a cricketer and captain.
"Dhoni has been extra-ordinary player for India and he will only get better in next three to five years," said Gavaskar to NDTV.
The original Little Master added that Dhoni was being "made a scapegoat" for India's failings in the Twenty20 and ODI series against South Africa.
"Everybody is looking to make MSD a scapegoat for India's loss. Why is everyone overlooking the fact that Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina didn't score runs in the game (Kanpur ODI)? So why is Dhoni, who has done so well over the years, is being held responsible for India's loss?" Gavaskar asked.
On Wednesday, Kohli was run out trying to go for a needless second run while Raina's problems with the short ball continued.
Finally, it was left to Dhoni to take control and take India past the 200-mark. He played his trademark bottom-handed strokes and rode his luck in the death overs.
Unlike some of the top order batsmen, No. 11 Mohit Sharma played prudent strokes to help Dhoni add crucial runs on a batting strip. But the talented pacer Kagiso Rabada bowled a tight last over to deny Dhoni, who hit a last-ball six, a well-deserved century.
The Indian skipper, who had critics gunning for his head due to his recent strings of poor scores, found a perfect way to answer his detractors as he smashed his way to a 57-ball half-century. Dhoni reached his 60th ODI half-century with a huge six of part-time off-spinner JP Duminy.
Dhoni, who had come to the crease with India at 82-3, took his time in the middle before opening up. He stitched a crucial 41 runs with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, when India were reeling at 124-6. Dhoni smashed seven fours and four sixes in his sizzling innings.
After India lost the Twenty20 series and the first ODI in Kanpur, Dhoni has been subject to much criticism. Former teammate Ajit Agarkar even questioned his worth in the team. But Dhoni showed why he was still indispensable.
Dhoni kept his composure, played the big strokes when needed and never ran out of wisdom during pressure moments. He nursed Harbhajan Singh (22 off 22 balls) and Bhuvneshwar from time to time and rotated the strike to gain maximum exposure against the South African pacers.
On Tuesday, former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar had slammed critics who had written Dhoni off as a cricketer and captain.
"Dhoni has been extra-ordinary player for India and he will only get better in next three to five years," said Gavaskar to NDTV.
The original Little Master added that Dhoni was being "made a scapegoat" for India's failings in the Twenty20 and ODI series against South Africa.
"Everybody is looking to make MSD a scapegoat for India's loss. Why is everyone overlooking the fact that Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina didn't score runs in the game (Kanpur ODI)? So why is Dhoni, who has done so well over the years, is being held responsible for India's loss?" Gavaskar asked.
On Wednesday, Kohli was run out trying to go for a needless second run while Raina's problems with the short ball continued.
Finally, it was left to Dhoni to take control and take India past the 200-mark. He played his trademark bottom-handed strokes and rode his luck in the death overs.
Unlike some of the top order batsmen, No. 11 Mohit Sharma played prudent strokes to help Dhoni add crucial runs on a batting strip. But the talented pacer Kagiso Rabada bowled a tight last over to deny Dhoni, who hit a last-ball six, a well-deserved century.