Team clearly choked on both occasions to hand the Proteas the initiative in the five-match series
India are in serious peril of losing their well-earned tag of "chase masters" in ODIs at home in the aftermath of two disastrous back-to-back failures against South Africa.
Chennai: India are in serious peril of losing their well-earned tag of “chase masters” in ODIs at home in the aftermath of two disastrous back-to-back failures against South Africa. The home team clearly choked on both occasions to hand the Proteas the initiative in the five-match series.
Two dud chases have raised questions over M.S. Dhoni’s finishing skills, the efficacy of openers and Virat Kohli’s ability to deliver consistently. Numbers reveal that since October 2013, India have won 15 out of 30 matches batting second, home and away. Among Dhoni’s five 50s in that period, only one came in a winning cause.
And, his Chennai Super Kings teammate Suresh Raina has only one 50 plus score to his credit — an unbeaten hundred against Zimbabwe in the 2015 World Cup. The men who have delivered are Rohit (six 50s, two 100s), Dhawan (six 50s, three 100s) and Kohli (six 50s and five 100s).
Who are, then, Team India’s real finishers? Dhoni is certainly not the best as per statistics. However, former India players Anshuman Gaekwad and Syed Kirmani still back Dhoni’s finishing
ability.
“Keep statistics aside. On a lot of occasions Dhoni had little support from the so called all-rounders in the middle-order. I still maintain Dhoni is the best we have. I don’t see anyone replacing him in the role.
“The art of closing out games is a gift and one can’t groom players. Dhoni has been a natural player in the position, even though he isn’t immune to failures,” said Kirmani.
Though Gaekwad seconded Kirmani as far as calling Dhoni India’s go-to-man in chasing, he added that the country needed to look to the future. “Rahane is an exceptional talent. Give him more opportunities. He has batted well at No.3 as well as in the middle. With the experience Raina has, I feel it’s the right time to allow him to forge a partnership with Rahane in finishing matches, just like Yuvi and Dhoni used to do in their prime,” he said.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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