India and New Zealand are gearing of for the fifth and final ODI in Wellington, which begins on February 3rd (Sunday). Meanwhile, the Kiwi all-rounder, James Neesham has shared high praise for the ex-India captain, MS Dhoni; saying an opposition hasn’t won a game if Dhoni is at the crease. Neesham, however, quashed the reports of age catching up upon MSD. He added the India veteran is a fantastic player and that his records speak for himself.
MS Dhoni fit to play 5th ODI – Bangar
Team India’s batting coach, Sanjay Bangar has revealed MS Dhoni has attained full fitness and will remain available for selection for the fifth ODI. However, MS had not played the past two games due to a sore hamstring. Though Dinesh Karthik played his part well behind the wickets, India missed MSD’s current form in the previous game. Since the first ODI against Australia early this year, MS has remained unbeaten in his last three innings; averaging 241.
Meanwhile, in the previous ODI, Trent Boult had India on the mat. He picked his best figures against India (5/21) and ran through the middle-order. Given the recent purple patch of Dhoni, he could have saved India’s boat in Hamilton. Nevertheless, if MS gets picked for the Wellington ODI, who knows, the 37-year old could spread his magic again.
However, James Neesham is of the opinion that NZ needs to get Dhoni’s wicket as early as possible. He reckons even to think the game is over when MS is around, could cost the opposition.
“His [Dhoni’s] records speak for itself. I mean, he is a fantastic player. Some noise was made especially from Indian media about whether he should be there in their World Cup squad or not. But as I said, his record speaks for itself,” Neesham said on Saturday in the pre-match press conference.
“He’s got that calm demeanor in the middle order. And when you’re bowling to him, you know you haven’t won the game till you’ve got him out. Hopefully, we can do that tomorrow and run through them tomorrow”.
We are hopeful of the same show in Wellington – Neesham
India had already wrapped the five-match ODIs 3-0 before both teams met in Hamilton. Playing for pride, the BlackCaps produced one of their better performances; bowling India all-out on 92 and thus winning the game by eight wickets in hand.
Meanwhile, the all-rounder is of the opinion that if Trent or even someone bowl like they did in the last ODI; New Zealand could make 3-2.
“Stats speak for themselves. In the last two years, their top three averages 20 odd more than any other country in the world. They have obviously got a whole lot of quality at the top there,” Neesham said.
“And Virat is resting but there is a lot of wraps on the rest of their top order as well. So there is certainly not a case of getting complacent. We just have to put the ball in the right areas again… as Boult did in Hamilton… and hopefully run through them again.”
However, Virat Kohli is currently on rest and in his absence, Rohit Sharma is a stand-in skipper
