SA vs IND, 2018: MS Dhoni tees off in the nets ahead of Port Elizabeth ODI

Published - 12 Feb 2018, 10:05 PM | Updated - 17 Jul 2025, 04:41 PM

MS Dhoni, Kagiso Rabada, India, Kanpur, South Africa, Port Elizabeth
Dhoni bowls some leg-spin ahead of the fifth game.

Due to the high standards set by himself over the years, MS Dhoni will always appear below par with the age catching up with him. It all started against the South Africans in 2015 in the Kanpur One-day International where the master of finishing games failed for the first time.

The then South African rookie speedster Kagiso Rabada figured out his limitation against the bouncer at a rapid pace during the death overs.

With the technology in hand these days, words of weaknesses spread like wildfire as many bowlers tried to imply similar strategies against Dhoni at death.

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MS Dhoni India South Africa
Dhoni bowls some leg-spin. Photo Credit: AFP

During his peak era, Dhoni was the master when it come to rotating the strike. However, in recent years he has struggled to do so and in turn, consumed more deliveries up front than scoring.

The chances of witnessing big shots from Dhoni’s blade is as good as chances of spotting a tiger in an Asiatic jungle.

Slowly but steadily, his role in the team has taken a turn as well. While he still is a pure match-winner in a 240-250 game. India more often than not has struggled to cope up with his present style of play at the back end of a??300-plus game.

A biggie from Dhoni remained due prior to the start of the Pink ODI. With all the criticism at the back of the head, Dhoni treated us with his trademark finish. His 43-ball 42, in the end, helped India shepherd towards a face-saving target of 289 with a mini-collapse at the other end.

MS Dhoni
The 36-year old will be looking to start the tour on a strong note (Credits: BCCI)

His cameo consisted of three scintillating boundaries and smashing a six over covers – to show one and all that a wounded tiger still is at his best.

Keeping in mind the importance he carries in the current Indian side, MS Dhoni flexed his muscles ahead of the Port Elizabeth ODI.

Indian Cricket Team official Instagram handle posted a snippet of the same by captioning, “BOOOOOM! ???New balls please! @mahi7781 in the house #TeamIndia #SAvIND”

Here’s the snippet:

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A post shared by Team India (@indiancricketteam)

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