The first ODI started a bit disappointingly for India as they lose to host Australia by 34-runs in Sydney as the Aussies manage to restrict India for 254/9.
Chasing a target of 289, India lost Dhawan, Kohli and Rayudu by first 4 runs and then MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma put a vital 137-run partnership. Rohit Sharma smashed 133 off 129 balls whereas Dhoni scored 51-runs off 96 balls. Dhoni also managed to complete his 10,000 ODI runs.
However, despite Dhoni being such a reliable partner for Sharma today, fans still blame him for today’s ODI loss to Australia.
Dhoni’s slow batting pace and him struggling ball to ball to make runs and then getting out in a crucial is being blamed for India’s loss.
“Rohit was outstanding, MS supported well. They batted well and they took the game deep. Deep enough for us to think that we had a chance. MS was just looking to accelerate and he got out,” said India skipper Virat Kohli after the game.
Here’s how Twiterattis blamed Dhoni for India’s loss:
Dot Balls played by indian batsmen
Rohit 30+
Dhoni 40+
Dhawan only 1 for ballHaters : but but Dhawan worst Da 😂 😬
— Troll Dhawan Haters (@Dhawanswarrior) January 12, 2019
Dhoni is answering to those haters who were saying – Risabh pant is better test player than Dhoni.
— Squint Neon (@squintneon) January 12, 2019
India's answer to Australia's retro kit is Dhoni's retro strike rate of 50.
— cricBC (@cricBC) January 12, 2019
Dhoni's ODI batting is like homeopathy medicine. Na mareej theek hoga na marega.
— Ashutosh (@Ashtopal) January 12, 2019
MS Dhoni..
– Second slowest ODI 50 – in 93 balls today
– Slowest: in 108 balls v WI at North Sound in 2017#AusvInd#AusvsInd— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) January 12, 2019
I don't think there's anything new to be learnt about Dhoni. He's not the player he used to be. But, more importantly, ODI cricket has moved on from when he was at his best. Tendulkar had this great ability to keep up as the game advanced. Dhoni hasn't got that extreme ability.
— cricketingview (@cricketingview) January 12, 2019
My friends decided to trek to the peek of Nandi Hill once. This one guy kept asking to conserve energy in the afternoon sun and walk slow with frequent breaks. We can make pace in the evening he said. By the time we reached the peek the gates were closed.
Dhoni is that guy today
— cricBC (@cricBC) January 12, 2019
Since the Champions Trophy in 2017, 18 batsmen have faced 1,000+ deliveries whilst batting in the top six. None have scored more slowly than the 4.37rpo managed by Dhoni. #AUSvIND
— The Cricket Prof. (@CricProf) January 12, 2019
Dhoni is so bad that if he gets an LBW appeal given not out against him then India should review it.
— ░S░I░M░🏏🏈 (@SimUKCricket) January 12, 2019
WinWiz obviously has not taken into account Dhoni’s recent form and ability. Highlights the hazards of analysing cricket only through data. https://t.co/LvdXw9xfk8
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) January 12, 2019
Dhoni didn't get chance to play test series so he is contributing now by playing test in ODI. Legends never go off duty
— EngiNerd. (@mainbhiengineer) January 12, 2019
Dhoni & Sharma are trying to see the new ball off and then may be accelerate after Tea.
— Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) January 12, 2019
No problem with Dhoni’s knock today. Coming in at 4/3, stabilising the innings, getting a stinker before he could accelerate. But it will be used to show how his strike rate has plummeted.
— Gappistan Radio (@GappistanRadio) January 12, 2019
#AUSvIND before lauding DHONI for completing 10,000 runs, you should know that he is the reason that we lost 1st ODI. Such a poor strike rate and only trying to build up his average.
— Himanshu sharma (@HIMI_STRINGS) January 12, 2019
There was only an illusion of an opportunity in this game. The 4th wicket partnership had consumed too many deliveries.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 12, 2019
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