Australia vs India: 3 Things we learnt from the 2nd ODI

#1 The finisher isn’t finished yet

MS Dhoni turned back the clock at Adelaide

India lost the 1st ODI at the SCG after their top order fell cheaply and the middle order again failed to cover itself in glory. Though MS Dhoni popped up with a gritty half-century, many blamed his slackness as the main reason for defeat.

Thus, all eyes were on the veteran when he went out in the middle in Adelaide with the match in the balance. And like so many times before, he let the bat do the talking.

The former skipper again started slowly but was helped out by Kohli’s pyrotechnics at the other end. As the innings progressed, Dhoni improved the tempo of his innings and masterminded a beautiful chase.

For the past year or so, Dhoni has been questioned on almost a daily basis. Yet, he served a timely reminder at Adelaide, proving that the great man isn’t finished until he says so.

Though it would be a little premature to label Dhoni as being back to his imperious best, the signs from the first couple of ODIs are certainly encouraging.

At the ground where he confirmed his status as the world’s best finisher way back in 2012, Dhoni just reaffirmed his position as one of the greatest finishers to have ever graced the game.

An in-form Dhoni makes India a different animal altogether, and with him standing up to job at hand frequently, a third world cup triumph might not be too distant after all.