MS Dhoni to play Vijay Hazare Tophy 2018: Reports suggest that MS Dhoni will represent his state in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy.
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Former India captain and current wicket-keeper batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni is reportedly assumed to feature in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy. If the news comes to fruition, Dhoni will represent his state Jharkhand in the knockout round of the tournament (something they are highly likely to qualify for).
Dhoni was part of the Indian team which had won the Asia Cup last month. However, with 77 runs to his name in six matches at a paltry average of 19.25 and a strike rate of 62.09, Dhoni hasn’t done justice to his reputation.
Overall, the whole of 2018 has been below par for him. In 15 ODIs this year, Dhoni has scored 225 runs at an average of 28.12 and a strike rate of 67.36, well below his career average and strike rate of 50.61 and 87.85 respectively.
Recently, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar had also opined for Dhoni to take part in domestic cricket.
Dhoni last played the Vijay Hazare Trophy in the 2016-17 season, when he scored 330 runs in eight matches at an average of 66 and a strike rate of 98.80. The last season of the tournament coincided during India’s tour of South Africa earlier this year.
Jharkhand likely to qualify for knockouts
With six wins in eight matches, Jharkhand, Dhoni’s home state, has all but qualified for the quarter-finals of the tournament. With 28 points under their belt, the team is currently at the top of the table in Elite Group C.
Ishan Kishan, who is performing a trio of roles in the form of a captain, wicket-keeper and opening batsman, has been their highest run-scorer so far, scoring 356 runs in six matches at an average of 59.33 and a strike rate of 118.66.
Jharkhand’s Shahbaz Nadeem, who is arguably the most consistent bowlers in the Indian domestic circuit for the last three years or so, is currently the highest wicket-taker in the tournament. The 29-year old left-arm spinner has dismissed 20 batsmen in six matches at an average of 10.65, an economy rate of 3.94 and a strike rate of 16.2.
If he plays, Dhoni’s inputs will be vital for Jharkhand in all departments especially during the knockouts of the tournament. Jharkhand will play their last league match against Services on October 11. The first quarter-final will be played on October 14. Dhoni’s next international assignment will be the ODI series against West Indies, starting from October 21.
Below are some of the recent Twitter reactions on Dhoni:
