MS Dhoni, India vs Australia 2019, Vizag T20I
MS Dhoni struggled to score runs in Vizag T20I. Photo Credit: BCCI.

Team India senior campaigner MS Dhoni’s ‘timid’ approach with the bat on Sunday (February 24) has infuriated Twitterati. In the opener of the two-match India vs Australia 2019 Twenty20 International (T20I) opener, Dhoni could manage 37-ball 29 with the help of a solitary boundary against the Aussie in Vizag T20I.

The 37-year-old Dhoni, who’s past his prime, however, has often made a resounding comeback to win hearts. But at home, he seemed to be too rusty with the willow for the Men in Blue.

MS Dhoni, India vs Australia 2019
MS Dhoni has struggled a bit, of late. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

Recently, Dhoni has received a bit of bashing for his go-slow approach. Also, his strike-rate in the T20I cricket has been a cause of concern while facing the minimum of 35 balls.

Also, one of the Twitter users has suggested the Ranchi-born star to announce his retirement from the T20 cricket.

On the other side, on a sluggish surface, Australia opted to bowl first. Batting first, India batsmen struggled to score runs at the pace as wickets kept on tumbling.

Except a brilliant fifty from KL Rahul on his return, none other among Men in Blue batsmen could leave an impact during the opener of the limited-overs series.

Of late, Rahul struggled to score runs. He slammed 36-ball fifty with the help of six fours and a six.

Dhoni had saved one end, as India lost wickets in a jiffy. With the wealth of experience on his back, Dhoni couldn’t take India to a comfortable total.

In 20 allotted overs, India managed to score 126 for seven before losing out the last-ball thriller by three wickets in Visakhapatnam.

In the recent past, Dhoni has taken his team out of precarious situations. Dhoni’s who often than not have excelled in the pressure situation, now found himself in a tangle following a dip in his hard-hitting prowess.

Apart from Dhoni being hammered, the surface wasn’t that easy to bat on. He knitted crucial 26 runs with tail-enders in the last 30 deliveries.

Has Dhoni lost the Midas touch?

MS Dhoni, India vs Australia 2019, Vizag T20I
‘Mahi’ has a lot on his shoulders. Photo Credit: BCCI.

Well, the critics believe Dhoni has not enough in his tank. Meanwhile, Dhoni is an obvious choice for team management in the upcoming 2019 World Cup.

Earlier, Dhoni on Australia tour has answered his critics following his 96-ball 51-run knock in Sydney. He then went on to smash three consecutive fifties to balance the debate on certain quarters. Dhoni’s finishing prowess has still been a hot debate, and again he has enough in his tank to change the complexion of the game.

With India trailing the series 1-0, MSD has a significant chance to respond to the criticism while making his bat talk and this time in Bengaluru on February 27.

Here’s how Twitterati reacted following slow innings from MS Dhoni in Vizag T20I:

https://twitter.com/anonymousguy194/status/1099836529986420737

https://twitter.com/style_wick/status/1099750682091900928

https://twitter.com/rickypatel26/status/1099731742716514305

https://twitter.com/Bebithraja/status/1099728573550579712

Tahir Ibn Manzoor

Tahir Ibn Manzoor, who tweets @TahirIbnManzoor (https://twitter.com/TahirIbnManzoor) - works as an editor for Sportzwiki.com. He has a great affection for longform feature writing. He completed his masters...