Australia vs India 2018/19: No One Is More Committed Than MS Dhoni: Virat Kohli

MS Dhoni, on Friday, once again showed he is still the best finisher as he scored an unbeaten fifty to guide India to a comprehensive seven-wicket win over Australia in the third One-Day International (ODI). Courtesy of the win, India won the series 2-1 and registered their first-ever bilateral ODI series Down Under.

Chasing 231, India lost the openers, Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan early in the innings and it was again Virat Kohli and Dhoni who laid the foundation with their 54-run stand for the third wicket. Jhye Richardson then sent back Kohli to turn the game on its head. With just 113 runs on the board after 30 overs while chasing 231 on a tough pitch and Kohli back to the pavilion, India were under immense pressure.

However, the ever-green Dhoni scored his third consecutive fifty of the series and shared an unbeaten partnership of 121 runs with Kedar Jadhav to take India home in the last over. Dhoni scored 87 while Jadhav scored 61.

What a run-chase. The Dhoni-Jadhav duo take #TeamIndia to a thumping 7-wicket victory. India take the series 2-1 ???? #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/vb4fZ0xwR9

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 18, 2019

Dhoni bagged the Man of the Series award for scoring 193 runs in the series at an unbelievable average of 193. He finished the series as India’s highest-run scorer.

And after the game, skipper Virat Kohli once again reiterated his support for Dhoni, urging people fo give the veteran batsman some space.

“On the outside people say a lot of things but people should let him have his space. No one is more committed than Dhoni. He is an intelligent guy,” said Virat Kohli at the post-match press-conference.

Meanwhile, Dhoni said that he is happy to bat anywhere as per the team’s demands. There have been calls to promote Dhoni at number four and the former India skipper batted at that position in the third ODI. However, there is no preferred spot for him.

I am happy to bat at any number. The important thing is where the team needs me. I can’t say I can’t bat at No. 6 after playing 14 years,” he said at the presentation ceremony.