Australia vs India 2018-19: Sachin Tendulkar Expects MS Dhoni to Control the Game from One End

The former legendary Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar expects MS Dhoni to control the game from one end as he did in the second ODI against Australia. Dhoni was at his best in the Adelaide Oval as he rotated the strike with aplomb. He had failed to hit the ground running in the first ODI where he faced 96 balls for his 51 runs. However, Dhoni was able to put his form demons at bay in the second match.

Consequently, it was a much better performance from MS Dhoni who was able to provide the finishing touches to the run-chase. In fact, Dhoni has an immaculate record while chasing a target as he averages a stunning 99.85 in India’s successful run chases when he has remained unbeaten.

Dhoni was at his best in the second ODI.

“Yesterday’s (Tuesday) contribution was good. In the first match, I felt he was a little rusty, he was not being able to hit the ball where he wanted to and that can happen to anyone. He walked out in the second match thinking differently and from ball one, he looked a different player,” Tendulkar said on his app 100MB.

The Master Blaster said that Dhoni needs time before he can play the big shots. Dhoni likes to gauge the pitch conditions and needs some balls to get settled into the crease.

“He (Dhoni) is someone who loves to play a few dot balls, understand the wicket, how the bowlers are bowling and like to take the game till the end. That is exactly what he did. He is someone who is going to control the game from one end,” the highest run-getter in international cricket observed.

Sachin Tendulkar believes Dinesh Karthik’s cameo of 25 runs from 14 balls was also crucial in taking India over the line. Karthik has done justice to his role of a finisher.

“And yesterday along with Dhoni, I felt that Dinesh Karthik played rather well as he came and finished the game. It was a fantastic contribution from Dinesh also. Dhoni stayed till the end and his experience mattered.”

Meanwhile, Sachin Tendulkar believes it is not a good idea to include Rishabh Pant at this stage in the ODI team. There are already two keepers in MS Dhoni and Dinesh Karthik and Pant might have to wait for his turn.

“It’s a nice thought (to have Pant in) but we have already got Dhoni and Karthik playing as a batter, we have two wicket-keepers, who have contributed in our success yesterday. They have had a crucial partnership which won us the match.

“So if you are looking to have Pant in the team that means you have to remove a proper batter or one bowler, and I don’t think we can afford to remove a bowler. So if he replaces a proper batter who doesn’t bowl, then its okay but if he is going to replace an all-rounder then that’s going to cost us,” Tendulkar opined.

The decider of the series will take place at MCG on January 18.