Watch - What Made MS Dhoni to Captain During the Auckland T20I?

Published - 08 Feb 2019, 02:49 PM | Updated - 22 Aug 2024, 11:59 PM

In the absence of Rohit Sharma, MS Dhoni led India for a few overs during the Auckland T20I. Image Courtesy: Getty

One of the better sights in the game of cricket is to see MS Dhoni leading a team. Over the years, he had held reigns for India in all three formats and had been as successful as anyone; winning all major ICC trophies along with lifting the Asia Cup twice. Meanwhile, he did return with a captain’s hat on his head during the Auckland T20I against New Zealand, cheering up his fans across the cricketing globe. So what made him lead the team despite Rohit Sharma listed as the stand-in captain for the T20Is?

Rohit suffered a finger injury while fielding

New Zealand, during the second T20I, batted first in Auckland. Unlike the previous game, where the openers gave them a blistering start the hosts lost three wickets in the Powerplay. At one stage, the scorecard read 50 for four, with a wrong LBW call sparking up the DRS controversy at the Eden Park. However, it was a partnership between Colin de Grandhomme and Ross Taylor which saved their boat from sinking further.

Meanwhile, Grandhomme, after completing his fifty didn’t stop with the onslaught. During the 16th over, the all-rounder smashed an over-pitched delivery off Hardik Pandya only to see Rohit Sharma grabbing it at the covers. Though it was a clear catch, it did hurt Rohit’s finger, which saw him leaving the field for medical attention. However, until he returned to perform his duties, it was MS Dhoni who took over the captaincy. The veteran India cricketer was seen altering the field positions in his old-fashioned way and making changes in the bowling lineup too.

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No wicket fell in the meantime, but it was surely a delight to watch MS Dhoni doing what he did the best, captaining a team in the middle. Also, New Zealand scored 158 for eight in the Auckland T20I.