Sachin and Raina praise team for Melbourne ODI win: Former and current players hailed the Indian team’s performance at Adelaide.
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During the third ODI of the recently concluded India’s tour of Australia at Melbourne, India defeated Australia by 7 wickets to register their first-ever bilateral 2-1 series victory in Australia. Having earlier won the Test series, India also winning the ODI series speaks highly about their performance on the tour.
While the Indian fans had anticipated the team to win the match with much more ease and comfort than they eventually did, the chase went down to the last over as former India captain and current wicket-keeper batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni and all-rounder Kedar Jadhav sealed the chase for India.
ALSO READ: MS Dhoni opens up on his preferred batting position ahead of ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.
Dhoni, who was promoted up the order at No. 4, might have won the match for India but received plentiful criticism for his taking-the-match-to-the-last-over approach. The 37-year old cricketer ended up scoring his 70th ODI half-century, 87* (114), with the help of seven fours. On the other hand, Jadhav scored his fourth ODI half-century, 61* (57), with the help of seven fours.
There is no hiding to the fact that Dhoni was criticized while he was batting in the middle majorly due to his slow batting. However, he eventually winning the match eased up the Indian fans.
ALSO READ: Virat Kohli explains why MS Dhoni was sent in to bat at No. 4 today.
Having scored 193 runs in three matches at an average of 193 and a strike rate of 73.10 including three half-centuries, Dhoni was elected the ‘Man of the Series’ for the seventh time in his ODI career. Having last won it in 2011, it has taken Dhoni more than seven years to earn another such award.
Dhoni and Jadhav’s unbeaten 121-run partnership received plentiful of reactions from renowned personalities across the cricketing fraternity. Read some of them below:
A Thala Masterchase helped the men in blue add another trophy from the down under to the cabinet! Loud #WhistlePodu! #Yellove #AUSvIND 💛🦁 PC: @ICC pic.twitter.com/Fk6mCKSMPt
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) January 18, 2019
Another day, another final of sorts and @msdhoni hunts down another chase like he was born for that purpose. Unbelievable composure and resolve #INDvAUS #MSDhoni
— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) January 18, 2019
At 37 years and 195 days, MS Dhoni is the oldest Indian to get player-of-the-series award in ODIs. Previous: Sunil Gavaskar (37y and 191d) vs Sri Lanka in 1987. #AusvInd
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) January 18, 2019
You thought he was a spent force, a burden on team and now should retire. Here is MS Dhoni even at 37 telling you how to chase at MCG by scoring 72% of his 87 runs by running. Batted 114 balls – his second longest resolve in a successful chase. #AusvInd
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) January 18, 2019
If reliable had to be described, it would’ve #Dhoni written all over it. Congratulations, #TeamIndia. What a special win!! @msdhoni @BCCI #INDvsAUS
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) January 18, 2019
Solid team effort to win the ODI series as well and finish a tour filled with excellent cricket.
Happy to see @JadhavKedar stand up and deliver when given the opportunity and support @msdhoni, who once again played the role of the anchor beautifully! #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/okwQPXFwsr— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) January 18, 2019
The Dhoni chanting at MCG almost sounded like Ranchi. Such a loved cricketer! And what a spell by @yuzi_chahal well deserved win!
For the sake of cricket I hope Australia gets a better team together by the WC. #AusvIndia— Saiyami Kher (@SaiyamiKher) January 18, 2019
This Indian Team has truly banished the belief that the guys from Down Under always get on Top of us…Thank you #MenInBlue from a grateful nation… And @msdhoni you are the ultimate, unstoppable ‘Sport Utility Vehicle!’ https://t.co/024VZF4DIB
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) January 18, 2019
Run chase master @msdhoni #masterclass #AUSvIND
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) January 18, 2019
I have seen Dhoni do this regularly. A great entertainer who knows how to get the job done. #AUSvIND
— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) January 18, 2019
