Australia vs India 2018-19: MS Dhoni Will Make the Most of Large Grounds in Australia: Sunil Gavaskar

Former Indian National Cricket team skipper MS Dhoni will be under the scanner when he takes the field in the ODI series against India. His ability to clear the grounds on a consistent basis may have faded away, but Sunil Gavaskar feels Dhoni will make the most of the large grounds in Australia.

Meanwhile, MS Dhoni will be under immense scrutiny with young Rishabh Pant making a mark with the bat. In the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar series, Pant smashed 350 runs including a career-best 159 not out to tell the world he has arrived. Last year, Dhoni scored only 275 runs from 20 ODIs without hitting a single half-century. His form will be crucial for India as they gear up for the 2019 World Cup and he will have a chance to get back among the runs over the next 13 one-day internationals.

However, Sunil Gavaskar is confident that MS Dhoni will play a key role for India given his tactical acumen and experience. Gavaskar said Dhoni would not bat in top gear and reassess his game taking into account the Australian ground conditions.

“We may not see the MS Dhoni who hits the big sixes on Indian grounds or English grounds because the Australian grounds are big. But he is so good with his fitness that he will be able to convert the ones into twos and twos into threes on large-sized Australian grounds,” Gavaskar told India Today.

“I believe Dhoni will be able to make the most of these Australian conditions where the pitches flatten out after the new ball,” he added.

Ravindra Jadeja will fill Hardik Pandy’s spot

Meanwhile, with Hardik Pandya suspended for his controversial remarks, Sunil Gavaskar has pinned his hopes on Jadeja to fill his gap. In addition to, MS Dhoni will also have to play the pinch-hitter role in the upcoming ODIs.

“It’s quite possible that Jadeja may get a chance if Pandya does not play. And on big grounds in Australia, it helps to have a spinner. We found out that when Indian batsmen tried to hit Nathon Lyon out of the park, they were getting holed out. So Jadeja may play and it can be useful for the team because he may concede less runs in the middle overs,” he added.

In addition to, Sunil Gavaskar expects a whitewash from Virat Kohli & Co in the ODI series. He also sounded confident that India will come all guns blazing against Aaron Finch and his boys.

“The thinking behind playing with retro clothes may be hope that they would be able to play like old,” he quipped.

“But the way India won the test series and the form they have shown in one day cricket, it looks very difficult that Australia will be able to win. I know ODI cricket gives you more chances. But India will come all guns blazing and I am confident that they will be able to win it 3-0,” he concluded.