New Zealand vs India 2019- 3rd ODI: Why MS Dhoni is not part of India's playing XI?

Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni
Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni

What's the story?

The Indian skipper, Virat Kohli has revealed the reason why MS Dhoni is not playing the third ODI against Kane Williamson's men at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.

The Background

The first of the five-match ODI series between the hosts New Zealand and India took place at Napier. The Indian bowlers were top-class at the McLean Park, bowled out the Kiwis for just 157 runs in 38 overs. Courtesy Shikhar Dhawan's 75* off 103 balls and Virat Kohli's 45 off 59 balls steered India to a comfortable eight wicket-win (DLS method) over the hosts thereby enabling them to take a 1-0 lead. Left-arm chinaman, Kuldeep Yadav was the chief wrecker with the ball picking up four wickets for 39 runs in 10 overs.

In the second game at the Bay Oval, India, who opted to bat first on winning the toss posted 324-4 in 50 overs, with openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan scoring half-centuries. Each of India's top 5 batsmen scored 40+ runs (first time ever in the ODIs), thereby enabling the visitors to post a massive 300+ total. Chasing 325 under the lights, the Kiwis bundled out for 234 runs in 40.2 overs with Doug Bracewell top-scoring for them with 57 off 46 balls.

The heart of the matter

Meanwhile, India made two changes to their playing XI that won the second ODI by 90 runs- Dinesh Karthik in for MS Dhoni and Hardik Pandya in for Vijay Shankar.

Skipper Virat Kohli revealed the reason as to why MS Dhoni was dropped from the XI during the toss. Kohli said,

"A couple of changes. MS has got a sore hamstring, Karthik comes back. Hardik comes in place of Vijay Shankar. It’s brilliant, especially if you look at our away performances. It’s great to have two guys who can pick wickets in the middle overs”.

What's next?

MS Dhoni missing International games due to injury is rare and this is one such instance. Nevertheless, the Indians are already 2-0 up in the series and will be looking to wrap up the series with a win in the third ODI before traveling to Hamilton for the fourth game.

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Edited by deebak mohan