Australia vs India 2018-19: Decoding Dhoni's performances in the ODI series
An average of 25, strike rate hovering around 70 and not a single half century in 2018, MS Dhoni was under severe criticism with questions being asked about his place in the squad. Some thought his time is all but over. Amid all such talks, ever so calm MSD silences them without even uttering a word. He started the New Year with the talk about his form, and he finished the first series with the Man of the Series award. That's probably 'MSD style'.
Building up to the series, he didn't have much match practice as he hadn't played domestic cricket. So, he was rusty. But as the series progressed, he looked more in control.
In the first ODI at the Adelaide Oval, India were in dire straits with 4 for 3 chasing 289 runs when Dhoni came out to bat. He started slowly. Rohit was also conscious as one more wicket and the game was all but over. But, Dhoni wasn't able to rotate the strike and consumed a lot of dot balls. Some may argue that it was the need of the hour, it was but he could have been a little more pro-active and relieved the pressure off Rohit. Due to this, the asking rate climbed. Maybe when was looking to take it on, brought his 50 with a boundary, he was unfortunately adjudged lbw where the ball clearly pitched outside the leg-stump.
The SCG ODI was termed as an MS classic. Even though he took it deep which he likes and hit a six to almost seal the match, it was Kohli who owned the chase and Karthik supported Dhoni brilliantly at the end. But there were some signs that the best finisher was getting into the groove.
And finally we had an MS classic at the MCG. India had lost Kohli and they still needed 118 runs from 20 overs. The match could well have turned on a tricky pitch. But Dhoni-Jadhav stitched together a match winning partnership. This time it was Dhoni's chase. He could have been a little slow in between and failed to rotate the strike according to many, but he did what matters, and finished the game.
Kohli might have a computer in his mind which calculates how to ace a chase but it will not be wrong in saying it was Dhoni who invented it. Dhoni knows what he is doing and has done it more often than anyone in the world. That's why he is rated as the best finisher in the world.
But one other aspect that has to be looked at and not get too excited about Dhoni is that there hasn't been a situation where he has had to get going from the onset. Rohit helped him in the first ODI and Kohli allowed him to settle in at the SCG. In the final one-day, the asking run rate wasn't demanding. Dhoni has gained form and has runs under his belt. The big question arises if he can unleash vintage Dhoni from the onset when the required run rate is 8-9?
With Dhoni showing great signs, if he could combine his form with IPL 2018 hitting prowess, it would be a great asset for India. In such a case, the deadly opening combo, the invincible King Kohli and trademark Dhoni make India's batting and World Cup chances ever so strong.