Why MS Dhoni was left fuming during record knock in 1st ODI vs Australia
MS Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav were involved in a horrible mix-up which could have resulted in the former’s dismissal during the 1st India vs Australia ODI in Chennai.
india vs australia 2017 Updated: Sep 18, 2017 13:53 IST
Hindustan Times, Mumbai
There are very few batsmen in the world who are as quick as MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli in running between the wickets. While batting together, they have converted singles into twos and twos into threes with briskness that can baffle cricket experts and fans alike. (Highlights) (Scorecard)
Understandably, when they are not batting together, the one who is at the other end finds himself pushed beyond his limits. Ask Kedar Jadhav, who admitted that it was ‘tough to run with Kohli’, after his match-winning century against England earlier this year at Pune.
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“It’s tough to run with Virat, but I will get better,” Jadhav had said.
— Virat Kohli (@Cricvids1) September 17, 2017
Jadhav is arguably not among the best in the Indian ranks when it comes to running between the wickets. Kohli might have worked his way around it the other day, but on Sunday against Australia, MS Dhoni nearly lost his wicket trying to sneak a single which may have been taken comfortably had Kohli been around.
MS Dhoni, who produced a match-winning 79 and a 118-run stand with Hardik Pandya, might have been dismissed for a mere seven had Hilton Cartwright broken the stumps, leaving MS Dhoni and India stranded in the middle.
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In the 22nd over of the Indian innings, MS Dhoni nudged a delivery from Marcus Stoinis towards the off side and set off for a sharp single. Dhoni was halfway down the pitch when he saw Jadhav, who had not even moved in his crease. With utmost urgency, Dhoni turned and tried making his way back to the crease.
In the process, MS Dhoni stumbled and from point, Cartwright collected the ball and threw it at the stumps. Fortunately for MS Dhoni, Cartwright missed the target and India got a run for the overthrow.
After completing the single, a livid MS Dhoni turned around and gave Jadhav a piercing look. After all, Dhoni has, of late, produced several match-winning innings but on this occasion was almost denied when Jadhav failed to respond.
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The TV cameras did not show how Jadhav reacted but Dhoni with that look must have certainly been frightening. Dhoni even shook his head in anger.
Ironically, that single brought Jadhav on strike, and he pulled the very next ball straight to short midwicket to be dismissed for 40.
