Ajit Agarkar has given credits to MS Dhoni And Yuvraj Singh for changing the concept of chasing. The most successful captain so far for the Indian side, MS Dhoni marked his exit from international cricket on Saturday as India was celebrating Independence Day. He chose to bid adieu with a simple Instagram post which ended fans’ speculations about seeing him again in India and left everyone depressed,
Tributes have been pouring in from all quarters of the world and all of them are different in their own ways. Former pacer Ajit Agarkar has lauded captain cool MS Dhoni along with Yuvraj Singh for changing the concept of chasing in ODIs and T20Is in particular. MS Dhoni’s helicopter shot and fine lofted drives by Yuvraj Singh were enough to win games for India mostly while chasing huge targets set by the opposition.
Ajit Agarkar Says Both MS Dhoni And Yuvraj Singh Changed Concept Of Chasing
The right-arm pacer who played alongside MS Dhoni in the initial stage of the laters international career was in all praise for him. Ajit Agarkar lauded the jersey No. 7 for being utmost courteous and yet friendly with everyone in the dressing room.
He also gave due credit to both of them for completely altering the concept of chasing in ODIs. The duo remained attacking and yet sensible with their bats to push the Men in Blue towards victory on several occasions.
“Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh changed the concept of chasing in ODIs. They were so good at it that after their success, other teams also started to field first on winning the toss,” said Agarkar as quoted by Hindustan Times.
Ajit Agarkar who represented India in 26 tests and 191 ODIs has scored one century in tests but is more known for his pace bowling where he has taken 58 and 288 wickets respectively. He announced his retirement in 2013 after playing for Delhi and Kolkata in IPL but last played for India in 2007.
Yuvraj Singh on the other hand represented India from 2000 till 2017 while featuring in 40 tests and 304 ODIs. He was the man of the tournament in the 2011 World Cup besides performing well in the 2007 ICC World T20 World Cup. He was diagnosed with a tumor in 2011 but came back in 2012 and played for India till 2017 in T20Is and ODIs.
Ajit Agarkar Admired MS Dhoni’s 183 Not Out And Remembers Chase At Lahore
The 42-year-old former pacer also admired MS Dhoni’s explosive knock of unbeaten 183 against Sri Lanka in the Jaipur ODI in 2005 which remained his highest in ODIs. His attacking innings left Lankan bowlers bewildered, and he went on to become the highest-scoring wicket-keeping batsman in the world. His chase at Lahore ODI in 2006 along with Yuvraj Singh produced a match-winning stand of 106 runs that helped their team to clinch victory by 5 wickets with 14 balls to spare.
“His 183 not out versus Sri Lanka at Jaipur (2005) and the chase at Lahore (ODI vs Pakistan, 2006)—Sri Lanka had posted a massive total and Dhoni batted at No. 3 and won it. The atmosphere in the dressing room went crazy when he started smashing sixes. At Lahore too, Pakistan had posted a very good total and their bowlers were in fine rhythm. Dhoni finished it off with a big partnership with Yuvraj,” added Agarkar.
MS Dhoni contributed 68 in the first match against Pakistan in 2006 as India posted 328 but lost the game by the Duckworth Lewis method. In the third match toó, MS Dhoni scored 72 off just 46 balls, and in the final match he repeated his form by scoring 77 runs off 56 balls as India won the bilateral series 4-1.