Former West Indies pace bowler Michael Holding has implied that India might have just missed MS Dhoni in their recent loss to Australia where India suffered a pounding defeat after failing to chase down a massive target of 375 runs in 50 overs. The Indian side led by skipper Virat Kohli, initially conceded 375 runs bowling first, which included notable centuries by skipper Aaron Finch and Steve Smith.
India started off in brisk fashion early on in the chase, as openers Shikhar Dhawan and Mayank Agarwal took India off to a fine start but with the massive target on the board meant the batsman had to stick to the rising run rate in every over which led to the constant fall of wickets in the chase.
In the end, India lost by a colossal margin of 66 runs despite a fighting 129 run partnership between Shikhar Dhawan and Hardik Pandya but as the two got dismissed, it just killed India’s further chances of getting across the margin of 375 runs.
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India chased well in the past with MS Dhoni in the team – Michael Holding
Former West Indies pacer Michael Holding laid down his thoughts on India’s pounding loss to Australia. He implied that India might have just missed the services of MS Dhoni in the chase since we have seen in the past how Dhoni used to control India’s chases so well.
“It was always going to be difficult for India to chase that down. One thing India will struggle with is the loss of Mahendra Singh Dhoni. MS Dhoni comes in to this Indian batting order halfway down and he usually takes control while chasing. India have chased so well in the past with MS Dhoni in the team,” Michael Holding told in his YouTube channel.
He further added how India never panicked whenever he was in charge of India’s chase since he has a batsman knew his ability which indeed helped him to pace his innings in the chase. Whenever Dhoni used to bat, he would always be talking to his batting partner, guiding him on how to go about the chase.
“We never see MS Dhoni panicking at any stage while India are chasing. He usually paces that chase so well because he knows his ability and he knows how to go about the chase. Whoever is batting with him, he is always talking with them and helping them. Fantastic batting lineup, but MS Dhoni was a special man in the run-chase,” he added.
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