Twitter Mercilessly Trolls MS Dhoni For Uncharacteristic Innings Against New Zealand

Mahendra Singh Dhoni‘s diminishing batting abilities was once again on show during the just-concluded T20 International against New Zealand which India lost by 40 runs. The former India skipper came to bat at a precarious position when the team was reeling on 67 for 4 in the 10th over while chasing a daunting 197 but failed to provide the much-needed impetus to the chase.

Dhoni had begun the year under great pressure but his performances against Sri Lanka, Australia and in the Champions Trophy had managed to keep the critics silent. However, his latest performance is enough to give the detractors hundreds of reasons to take a shot at him. One of the best finishers in the history of the game, Dhoni looked completely put of sorts in the second T20I.  His 37-ball 49 raised a huge question mark over his utility and effectiveness in the shortest format of the game.

When Dhoni arrived at the crease, India needed 130 off the last 65 balls but instead of going all out, Dhoni as usual took his time to settle down. He had scored just 17 runs off the first 20 balls he faced before lofting Ish Sodhi for his first six. Dhoni’s slow innings put the pressure on Virat Kohli who departed after playing a fighting knock of 65. Dhoni played some big shots towards then but it was too late by then and it didn’t take long for trolls on social media to get after the World Cup-winning skipper.

While some took a shot at him for his knock, some made fun of him for the incident when he did a split while trying to save himself from getting stumped. In fact, some even said that the most decorated skipper of India should hang his boots.

Here are some of the reactions:

Watching Dhoni bat the way he bats these days when the going is tough, is as painful as a root canal treatment.

— Parijat Sourabh (@SourabhPool) November 4, 2017

A case can still be made for Dhoni in 50-over cricket, but international T20 is clearly struggle for for him. Too many dot balls

— Sambit Bal (@sambitbal) November 4, 2017

MSD is irreplaceable in ODIs, but it's time he realized he cannot score quickly in the shortest format of the game and give Pant a chance.

— LOLendra Singh (@LOLendraSingh) November 4, 2017

Virat: Bhai single kya le rahe ho?
Dhoni: Tu score kar
Virat: Aur aap?
Dhoni: Last ball pe six maarunga#INDvNZ

— Krishna (@Atheist_Krishna) November 4, 2017

Dhoni is finished he should retire

— Pranjal Verma ?? (@Pranjay96) November 4, 2017

ME trying to meet deadlines for assignments #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/XaZGlgDlxG

— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) November 4, 2017

Dhoni stretching his international career. pic.twitter.com/mHbhE8NDt0

— Thomas Shelby (@ThisrtyScholarr) November 4, 2017

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