MS Dhoni rested for last two ODIs against Australia: The Indian wicket-keeper batsman won’t take further part in the series.
During the third ODI of the ongoing Australia’s tour of India at Ranchi, Australia defeated India by 32 runs to register a comeback in the series. With the series (1-2) still in India’s favour, one can anticipate the last two ODIs to be intriguing contests.
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Speaking during the post-match presentation ceremony, India captain Virat Kohli confirmed that the team will make “a few” changes during the last two ODIs as part of their auditioning process for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.
“The guys who have got out, will try to make the most of the next opportunity. We will have a few changes in the next couple of games, but the idea is to tell the boys to put in match-winning performances, and the boys will be looking to be in top form before the flight to England,” Kohli was quoted as saying.
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Minutes after Kohli released the statement, India Batting Coach Sanjay Bangar announced that former India captain and current wicket-keeper batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been rested for the remaining two ODIs of the series.
Has MS Dhoni played his last ODI in India?
Although the veteran cricketer hasn’t confirmed about his much-discussed retirement plans, there is a general notion that he will hang up his boots post the World Cup. If that remains true, this series was supposed to be Dhoni’s last in international colours in India.
With Bangar making the announcement regarding Dhoni being rested now, you never know if his last ODI in India might have been played on his home ground of JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi.
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Coming on the back of his worst year (in terms of runs sored) in ODIs, Dhoni turned the tabled in 2019. In nine ODIs this year, the 37-year old cricketer has scored 327 runs at an average of 81.75 and a strike rate of 78.22 including four half-centuries.
Coming in to bat at No. 5 in the seventh over tonight, Dhoni shared a 59-run stand for the fourth wicket with Kohli. Before getting out in the 20th over, Dhoni had scored 26 (42) with the help of two fours and a six.
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