Dhoni answers critics in style with super show with the bat vs Windies
Dhoni answers critics in style with super show with the bat vs Windies
After a tumultuous period following the early exit of his team in the ICC World Twenty20, Mahendra Singh Dhoni has done well enough for himself in the one-day series against the West Indies to usher in a cheerful birthday tomorrow. It will also be an occasion to make up for his last birthday celebrations which were spoilt when India suffered a surprise loss against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup one-day final in Karachi.
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The Indian captain has answered his critics in style by leading his team to a 2-1 victory over Chris Gayle's team in the Caribbean. The fourth and final ODI yesterday at St Lucia was called off due to heavy rains after just 7.3 overs and India were declared winners having won the first and third ODIs.
Extra satisfaction
Having come under flak for his below-par batting in the World T20, it would give Dhoni great satisfaction that he was the standout performer for the visitors. The skipper was unstoppable with the bat with returns of 41, 95 and 46 not out in his three outings to the wicket. He aggregated 182 to have an average of 91.
Dhoni's unbeaten 46 on Friday pushed his one-day average above 50. According to a Cricinfo report, only Michael Bevan and Michael Hussey (min 25 innings) have a higher average than him. Dhoni has scored 632 runs at 90.28 this year.
Apart from a dismal World T20, India have been unstoppable in the one-dayers over the past year. Dhoni's boys have strung together five comfortable series victories since the defeat in the Asia Cup final.
Coach Gary Kirsten is naturally full of praise for Dhoni's batting in this series. "Someone like Dhoni can hit the ball out the ground at any time so it was comforting knowing that we had him at the crease controlling the game," said Kirsten after his skipper's heroics in the third ODI. "He's had a magnificent series and he's played some really good one-day cricket for us," added Kirsten.
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