Sad.
MS Dhoni will go down in ODI cricket history as one of the greatest match-winners, with a penchant for finishing matches when it has gone down to the wire. But cricket being a great leveller, Mahi had an unusual off day on Sunday, when he laboured to an extremely slow 50 and couldn't finish the match against West Indies. Dhoni was dismissed in the 49th over after scoring just 54 of 114 balls with only one hit to the fence.
Now a footage has been shared on Twitter, which shows a visibly shattered Dhoni seating alone lost in his thoughts, when cricketers were exchanging pleasantries and handshakes after the end of the match. As the camera pans on the former Indian captain, Dhoni looks broken and completely oblivious of the fact that match has ended and he needs to go to the ground for the customary handshakes. Someone from the team is seen to give him a pat, and Dhoni suddenly wakes up from the stupor.
For a player, who has conquered all and has won many memorable matches for India, Sunday was a brutal reality check of how harsh the game can be. With increasing age, waning power and gaggle of youngsters waiting to enter the team, the likes of Dhoni and Yuvraj are definitely under pressure to perform or perish. But one can hope that these legends can overcome the temporary blip in form and show the world, why they are still forces to reckon with.
India captain Virat Kohli blamed his batsmen's shot selection during their shock 11-run loss to the West Indies in the fourth ODI. "Our shot selection wasn't up to the mark. We lost crucial wickets at crucial stages. You have got to keep up the momentum through the game. Credit to the West Indies bowlers. They created those dot balls that induced those mistakes. It felt a bit two-paced. Apart from that I don't think there was anything else in the pitch," Kohli said after the match.
He however praised his bowlers for restricting West Indies to 189. "We bowled really well to restrict them to 189. The bowlers were on the mark, and the fielders as well. With the bat we faltered and that can happen in this game. We just have to put this behind us and come back fresh for the next game," said Kohli. West Indies captain Jason Holder was pleased as punch after a hard-earned win.
"Extremely pleased with the guys. It took a big effort.
Credit must go to all the bowlers. I thought the fielding was very supportive. We knew we could beat India. Just needed some application. Throughout the series we have spoken about taking new-ball wickets," said Holder.
With agency inputs
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