Gavaskar comparing Dhoni's slow Lord's innings to his 'most infamous' knock will infuriate Mahi fans

The controversy regarding MS Dhoni's epic slow innings at Lord's is unlikely to die down anytime soon. Even as Virat Kohli has tried to answer critics, many have questioned the thought process behind MS Dhoni's 58-ball 37 at a time when India was in desperate need for quick runs. 

Now, none other than Sunil Gavaskar, one of the greatest cricketing icons globally has weighed in on the issue. And he has compared this innings with his most infamous innings, when he only scored 36 runs over a 60 over match (ODI's were 60 overs each back in 1975) facing 174 balls. 

In his article for an English daily, Sunil Gavaskar has criticised the Indian batting, saying Rohit Sharma played a rash stroke, about KL Rahul understanding the need to cash in on good form, how Raina's efforts were not good enough. However, he saved the harshest criticism for MS Dhoni who clearly lost the plot in the 2nd ODI. Gavaskar acknowledged that Dhoni had a mountain to climb with an 'impossible situation'. He explained a batsman's mindspace at a time when quick runs are needed and most of the established batters are back in the hut and the player himself is not getting the right rhythm. In a way, Gavaskar is sympathetic of Dhoni's struggles. However, his comparison of Dhoni's innings with his 36 runs not out is unlikely to go down well with Mahi fans. 

That innings is widely termed as Sunny Gavaskar's darkest hours in a cricketing field when he scored only 36 at a time India was chasing a steep 335 of 60 overs in a World Cup match against England at Lord's. India scored only 132 for 3 in 60 overs losing the match by a massive 202 runs. 

The times have changed and India today is a two-time world cup winner and is a force to beat in world cricket. Whereas in 1975, ODI cricket was at infancy and India was trying to grapple with the new format.  MS Dhoni got booed for his innings at Lord's but will it go down in history as a black chapter. Or, will the fans move on, after MS Dhoni scores another match-winning knock? We will know in the future. 

Mahendra Singh Dhoni was booed by the Indian supporters at the Lord's during for his slow batting during the team's 86-run defeat against England in the second game of the three-match series.

Virat Defends Dhoni

When former England skipper Nasser Hussain asked the question about Dhoni's approach, Kohli didn't look amused."This thing comes up again and again when he's not able to play the way he does," Kohli said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

"It's unfortunate that people jump to conclusions quickly. When he does well, people call him the best finisher ever, and when things do not go well, people pounce on him," the Indian captain seemed trifle irritated with knee jerk  reactions from fans and critics alike.

As he has done umpteen times, Kohli defended Dhoni."The idea was to take the innings deep. He has the experience but sometimes it doesn't come off. We totally believe in him and the ability of all the players," the skipper said.With less than a year to go for the World Cup, Dhoni is very much in the scheme of things of the Indian team management for his vast experience and ability to read any match situations.However, his waning abilities to carry the team alone in pressure situations at times has come under scanner.

Root Surprised

While England's Joe Root found it "surprising", India's Yuzvendra Chahal said that he was unaware about the booing incident.

Before the start of the 46th over, the match was as good as over with 110 required off 30 balls. However the crowd got restless when Dhoni failed to score off the first four balls of David Willey's over. There was booing after every dot ball, a rare occurrence considering the huge fan base Dhoni enjoys around the cricketing globe.

In fact at the end of the over, substitute fielders Shardul Thakur and Axar Patel came in with an energy drink and replacement bat, which on air commentators termed as a message to push things.

Off the very first ball in the next over, Dhoni was caught at the deep mid-wicket boundary, trying a wild heave.

Chahal, who came for the post-match press conference, however said that there was no message from the dressing room for Dhoni to accelerate.

"I don't know what was said to him (when he changed bats). After Hardik was dismissed, there was only me, Siddarth Kaul, Umesh Yadav and Kuldeep. So it wasn't like there were 2-3 specialist batsmen remaining. "

"He hadn't batted much, so this was a chance to get a knock. If he had hit a shot earlier and got out, we couldn't have even batted all 50 overs," Chahal said.

While it didn't concern the English team, Root did find it a bit surprising.

"Yes (it was surprising), but ultimately it doesn't really concern us. We always try and judge how we approach the game and how we go about things. We try to maintain a professional approach and be as ruthless as possible. We managed to see India through by bowling them out by the end of the game. So we are looking after our own game and putting ourselves in a strong position by the end of the game," Root said.

Hailed as one of the best ever finishers in limited overs, Dhoni in the past couple of years have struggled to finish a lot of high pressure games unless there has been top-order support from the other end.

India were chasing a competitive target of 323 on a Lord's track that slowed down and for once the top order failed with a lot of responsibility on Dhoni. However Dhoni failed to force the pace with India managing only 236 in 50 overs.

With PTI inputs