MS Dhoni | Australia vs India 2018-19 | Dean Jones |
MS Dhoni. Credits - Getty Images

Despite Rohit Sharma’s valiant effort and MS Dhoni’s patient knock Indian National Cricket team went down by 34 runs in the first one-day international against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. However, the positive outcome from the lost encounter was Dhoni’s return to form after a significant amount of time.

The top-order struggled as they lost their first three wickets within five overs to reel at four for three. Since then, Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni shared a more than 100 runs partnership before the former skipper departed. Speaking to the press at the end of the match, Rohit opined that Dhoni would best fit in at number four in the current Indian batting order.

Personally always feel that Dhoni batting at number four will be ideal for the team but we have got Rayudu who has done really well now at number four. It totally depends on what the captain and coach think about it. Personally, I would be happy if Dhoni bats at four,” Rohit said.

Dhoni and Rohit added 137 for the fourth wicket.
Getty Images

Since the last World Cup, MS Dhoni has batted at number four in only 9 ODIs, scoring 245 runs at 27.22. MS Dhoni’s lack of power hitting has gone down significantly, has only increased their need to find the right personnel in the middle.

Read More  Steve Smith joins forces to slam Hardik Pandya for the underuse of Jasprit Bumrah

Meanwhile, India have tried many permutation combinations at the number four spot as the management is still pondering the correct answer for the mega event.

If you look at his overall batting strike rate its 85-90, around 90,” Rohit said about Dhoni’s ability to hit the ball big. “But when he came out to bat today we had already lost three wickets and the guys were bowling pretty well at that point. So we had to respect that spell and we wanted to get partnerships,” Rohit Sharma added.

Australia vs India 2018-19: MS Dhoni Batting at Number Four is Ideal - Rohit Sharma
Getty Images

Rohit Sharma pleased with the lesson learnt

Despite the result, Rohit seemed happy with the lessons learnt from the first ODI. However, he reiterated that they need to execute the skills to perfection under pressure.

We were obviously well behind the run rate at that point after the early damage but these things happen and these are the games that will teach you a lot as a batsman,” he noted. “You will be put under pressure, there will be times when you have to combat these kinds of games when you lose wickets.

I think it was a good learning but we’ve said that enough about learning now, it’s time to go an execute – take the pressure, absorb the pressure. International cricket is all about absorbing pressure, today was the perfect example, we were put under pressure and not able to absorb it,” he concluded.

 

Read More  Yuvraj Singh gives a derogatory statement towards Abhishek Sharma after SRH batsman's historic knock vs Mumbai Indians

I am an accountant by qualification, my parents thought their obedient son would study further to become a CA, but I had other things in mind. An ardent Cricket fan is following his passion and making...