India vs Australia 2017: Ravi Shastri Has A Surprise In Store For The Visitors

If Mahendra Singh Dhoni faithful were delighted to see his performance in Sri Lanka then they should get more excited as head coach Ravi Shastri has claimed the wicketkeeper-batsman has ‘some surprise in store’ when he takes the field in the upcoming series against Australia.

Dhoni had entered the series against Sri Lanka under severe pressure with even chief selector MSK Prasad making it clear that the veteran batsman was no more a first choice. However, the 36-year old has shown that he still has a lot to offer to Indian cricket. His in Sri Lanka read 45*, 67*, 49* and 1 with the first two coming in pressure chases as he played a big part in the historic 5-0 victory.  During the series, he also becomes the sixth Indian player to play 300 ODIs before becoming the first-ever wicketkeeper to affect 100 stumpings in the 50-over format.

Shastri is now expecting something even better from the World Cup-winning skipper in the upcoming series against the reigning world champions.

“There will be some surprise in store from MS Dhoni with the bat. I have a feeling something is round the corner. Sri Lanka was just a trailer,” Ravi Shastri told India Today.

Shastri also dispelled the thoughts of considering any other player as Dhoni’s replacement before stating that the early retirement from Test has done wonders for the former captain.

“If he keeps performing like that (in Sri Lanka), how can you even think of anything else? He is one of the fittest guys on the team. Dhoni is still the best wicketkeeper in the world and he is the quickest. The break from Test cricket has been great for Dhoni. He is an asset to the Indian team. He is an elder statesman in the dressing room,” Shastri said.

Meanwhile, the ODI series will start from Sunday (September 17) in Chennai. The five-match ODI series will be followed by a three-match T20I series.