MS Dhoni: Use him wisely and he will win you games

A great start to the World Cup year, 2019, for all the genuine Indian cricket fans and ardent MS Dhoni supporters, as India have ended their summer on a high note with an ODI series win against Australia. Not only have India ended their Australia tour without losing a series in any of the formats, but it also seems as if the out-of-form Dhoni has also got his rhythm back.

However, there are still some concerns regarding Dhoni and his batting position. Perhaps, he is still not the man who can come out to bat two-wicket-down in every situation in ODI cricket.

With due respect to his fine batting performance throughout the ODI series, which earned him the 'Player of the Series' award, Dhoni would surely not be the preferred one at the No.4 position if the second Indian wicket falls down at the 30th over after the Indian top-order batsmen provide a solid start in the first innings.

Where should the veteran back-to-form Indian legend bat then?

If the opposition bowling attack rips apart the Indian top-order quickly and India go ahead in the track of a batting collapse, MS Dhoni is the best man to come out and bat. Dhoni is one of the few Indian batsmen at present who keeps a high price on his wicket.

If team India lose their first two wickets in the span of the first fifteen overs, MS Dhoni would be the right man to bat. Although Dhoni consumes a lot of balls to earn some runs initially, he holds his wicket at one end which encourages his batting partner to play their natural game without much worry.

However, in big run-chases, one wouldn't fancy sending Dhoni at No.4. If India are 180 for two in the 30th over, Pandya, Jadhav or Pant would fare as better options.

Looking from the World Cup perspective, the pitches in England are mostly going to be flat and batting-friendly. So, India would certainly feel a burden of carrying Rayudu, Karthik, and Dhoni in the middle-order. The need of having at least one power-hitter in the present Indian side at present cannot be suppressed, especially in English tracks.

Perhaps, how Dhoni performs in New Zealand in the upcoming ODI series would give a fairer picture of his chances of success in England, as pitches in New Zealand are expected to fetch huge runs.

In conclusion, MS Dhoni is still a match-winner when it comes to chasing average scores but the same can't be said when India are playing for a big total. Thus, 'use him wisely and he will win you matches; if not, he might cost you some matches', should be the magic mantra of India in upcoming ODI matches while handling Dhoni.