The resurrection Of Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Great portsmen have the ability to bounce back every time they fall. For, they have a totally different mental make up inaccessible to the lesser mortals of the sport. These are the men who will not bow down to challenges that confront them, but instead, face the challenge in the eye, and overcome it.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni is one such sportsman. His mind is made of steely resolve, and there is absolutely no quit in him.

2018 was extremely unkind to Dhoni. For, the iconic cricketer struggled with the bat for the whole of the previous year. He was unable to force the pace, and managed to score just 275 runs in the whole of 2018.

Also, Dhoni could not even score a single half-century. He averaged a below par 25.00 and his strike rate was just 71.43 in the previous year.

Many former cricketers and armchair experts opined that Dhoni was past his prime and his best years were behind him. Some even went to the extent of claiming that Dhoni should walk into the sunset and make way for brighter talent. Dhoni, the equal minded sportsman that his, did not get flustered by all this.

For, the legendary cricketer knew that the only way to answer his critics was with the bat. And what a way to start the new year for MSD!. Three consecutive fifties in the first 3 matches of the year with 2 of them resulting in a win for India. An average of 193.00 in the series. And to top it all, the man of the series award as well!

The year 2019 has seen a totally different Dhoni. A Dhoni who is willing to bide his time in the middle, a Dhoni who does not go for the big shots initially, and a Dhoni who is willing to take the match deep.

And that is precisely why Dhoni should bat at #4. For, if he comes in at No.4, he can afford to get his eye in, and have a feel of the pitch. In the first ODI against Australia, Dhoni entered with the score at 4/3. He negotiated the new ball, got a good look at the Australian attack and scored his first half-century in more than a year.

He, along with Rohit Sharma steadied the Indian batting and forged a counter-attacking 137 run partnership.

In the second ODI too, Dhoni did not try anything extravagant when he came in. Kohli at No.3 and Dhoni at No.4 are the best options for India going into the World Cup.

Kohli at No.3 and Dhoni at No.4 are the best options for India going into the World Cup.

For, these two men understand each other’s game very well. They are extremely quick between the wickets, continuously keep the scoreboard ticking, and put the pressure back on the opposition.

While Kohli scored a scintillating century in the second ODI, Dhoni stayed till the end, and sealed the game for India. He even reminded us of his glory days when he hit a six over long on when 7 runs were required off the last over.

In the third ODI too, Dhoni played the role of sheet anchor to perfection. The pitch was not the easiest to bat on, the ball was not coming onto the bat, and Dhoni understood that he had to be patient. He forged a crucial partnership with Kohli, and then, in the company of Kedhar Jadhav, took India home in style with an unbeaten 87.

It has been a resurrection of sorts for Dhoni. He surely has some unfinished business left. The 2019 World Cup will be one last hurrah for the iconic cricketer. Dhoni now, is close to the sunset of his career, but there are certainly a few bright rays left.

Let us bask in the sunshine that Dhoni has to offer for now, rather than complaining about his impending retirement.