Virat Kohli’s Indian team is not getting off to a good start in Australia. Playing Sydney’s first ODI against Aaron Finch’s men, India lost 66 times. The 375 target set by Australia proved too much in the end, despite the brilliant 128-run partnership between Hardik Pandya and Shikhar Dhawan. Pandya and Dhawan both scored fifty each, but in the end, it was Adam Zampa who disbanded the two consecutively, ending India’s hopes.
West Indies legend Michael Holding believes that India is deprived of talents like MS Dhoni who never panics during a chase. Dhoni, who led India to three ICC titles as captain, retired from international cricket in August after an impressive career.
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“It will always be difficult for India to catch up. One thing India will face is the loss of Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Ms. Dhoni gets into this Indian batting sequence halfway through and she usually takes control when chasing. India has caught up very well in the past with MS Dhoni in the team, ”said Holding on the Youtube chat show ‘Holding Nothing Back’.
“They are never afraid to win the draw and bring in opponents because they know what MS Dhoni is capable of. Their batting lineup is still very talented – we saw some talented players and fantastic batting. But they still need players like Dhoni. Not only the skills but the strength of character, ”he added.
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“We have never seen Ms. Dhoni panic when India is catching up. He usually puts up a very good chase because he knows his abilities and he knows how to chase. Whoever hit him, he always talked to them and helped them. The batting lineup was fantastic, but MS Dhoni is a special person in the run-chase, “he said.
India will play ODI 2nd against Australia in Sydney on Sunday.