Team India opener Shikhar Dhawan has expressed excitement after senior campaigner MS Dhoni has regained the lost form following an unbeaten 55 off 54 deliveries against Australia in the second One-day International at Adelaide.
“I am very happy that Dhoni is getting his touch back,” Dhawan said during a presser in Melbourne.
On January 15 (Tuesday), India rode on the superb ton of skipper Virat Kohli (104 off 112). It further saw Dhoni alongside Dinesh Karthik crossing over the finish line with ease. The Men in Blue overhauled the target of 299 in 49.2 overs with six wickets in hand.
Dhoni and Karthik knitted the crucial partnership of 57 for the fifth wicket to see India level the series 1-1.
Interestingly, the 37-year-old former Indian National Cricket Team captain Dhoni saw fingers being pointed on him following his waning finishing abilities. However, Dhoni has had put the hard yards to respond well. In the ongoing three-match One-day International series, Dhoni smashed back-to-back half-centuries to send a clear message before the 2019 ICC World Cup.
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The southpaw Dhawan further reiterated Dhoni’s performance adds to the confidence of the rest of batsman. He added it eventually stands as a vital thing for the unit. Dhawan, who averages 45.15 in ODI cricket after featuring in 117 ODIs. He believes that wicketkeeper-batsman Dhoni’s good form brings positives to the Indian team.
“A player of his stature, who plays the game with so much calmness, gives so much confidence to other batsmen. It is very important for us,” Dhawan added.
Moreover, Dhawan, who lavished praise on his teammate reiterated it has been a significant performance from Dhoni including his 51 0ff 96 balls at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
“The way Dhoni played in both the games is really great,” Dhawan said.
Pertinently, Dhoni had recently completed his 10000 ODI runs for the Men in Blue. Of late, has been under fire for his go-slow approach.
However, the 33-year-old Dhawan scored 32 at Adelaide after registering a duck at Syndey. He is aiming to give his best in the virtual final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on January 18.
It would be interesting to see how Dhawan alongside MSD will perform in the impending game in the series Down Under.