Team India beaten West Indies in the third ODI leading the five match series with 2-0 points on table. The former Captain cool MS Dhoni was the man of the match and it was a testimony to the role he played in saving India a few blushes.
His unbeaten 78 off 79 balls enabled India to post a winning score on a tough track and no doubt he entertained the crowd with some magnificent stroke play. He was in the mood and managed to carry India to a winning total.
But what he did in the middle of the match that something other than hitting the ball surprised everyone’s eye. Yes, he went down the track against the leg-spinner and left the ball alone.
As we all know he is a masterful wicketkeeper. He has the fastest hands in world cricket and no one can argue with that. His work behind the stumps is just impossible to match but yesterday he showed us how to save oneself from being stumped.
Things only that Dhoni can do
This incident took place while he was batting on 30 off 53 ball suddenly he went down the track to Devendra Bishoo ball to hit a massive six. But cleverly, Bishoo saw Dhoni come down the wicket and he bowled a wide delivery way outside the off stump.
The smart cricketer that he is MSD realised he cannot get to it and instead of going through with the shot he went back in the crease. This was something any batter has hardly tried. His presence of mind left everyone in an awe.
Here is a video of what exactly happened:
Not just affecting a quick stumping, MS Dhoni does know how to get away as well. (via Sony Six) #WIvIND pic.twitter.com/BKzA1zPhAL
— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) July 1, 2017
In the post-match conference, Dhoni was asked how is he becoming with age. His reply was swift and crisp: “It’s like wine”.
“Our top-order has been doing the bulk of the scoring in the last one-one and a half years, so it felt good to get an opportunity and score runs.”
“I think it was the nature of the wicket (what made the knock special). There was variable bounce and at times the pace. It was important to have a partnership at that stage. In my mind, I had 250, and we got there, with Kedar batting with me at the end. It was something the bowlers could defend, but they had to bowl well.”
Dhoni was very vocal behind the stumps, giving instructions to spinners (Kuldeep Yadav and R Ashwin), most of which was picked up by the stump mic.
“It’s important (to guide spinners). Kuldeep has played a lot of games in IPL but when it comes to international cricket, it’s important to know where to use your variety. Once he plays 5-10 games, he will realise it himself. The good thing is, compared to the last game, he bowled very well today.”
India now lead the series 2-0 after the series opener was washed out. The fourth ODI will also take place at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Sunday.