Dhoni’s remarks keep Virat on toes
MUMBAI:MS Dhoni’s involvement behind the wickets during matches are well known, and in the third ODI between India and West Indies at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, the charismatic Indian cricketer was at it again.
On the field during the 3rd ODI encounter, Dhoni was quick in his remarks from behind, as he gave valuable inputs to Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin and the young Kuldeep Yadav.
“Leg stump ke bahar ja rahi hai. Review kharab ho jayega aur kuch nahin. (It is missing leg stump. We will waste one review; nothing else),” Dhoni was heard telling Kohli as India mulled over taking a DRS appeal, according to Deccan Chronicle.
To Ashwin, for whom he has kept wickets for several years, Dhoni sounded a little commanding. He was heard saying, “Ball dekho, Ash. Kahan dhyaan hai? (Look at the ball, Ashwin. Where are you lost?).”
When Kuldeep was in action, Dhoni was heard suggesting the Chinaman bowler that the batsman Rovman Powell is not likely to go down the wicket, and instead, may use the depth of the crease to play his shots.
“Yeh (Rovman Powell) aage nahin badega. Andar se hi marega. (He will not step out. He will try to hit big from the crease.),” Dhoni was heard saying.
India are currently involved in an ongoing five-match ODI series against the West Indies in the Caribbean. While the first game was washed out, India have taken a vital 2-0 lead, having won the second game by 105 runs and the third ODI by 93 runs.
In the third ODI, an inspired West Indies turned up the heat on the Indian batsmen, making life difficult for the on-song top order.
Shikhar Dhawan fell for a mere 6, while Virat Kohli scored 11. But on the other hand, Ajinkya Rahane continued with his splendid form and notched up yet another half-century.
Dhoni played a match-winning innings of 79-ball 78, studded with four fours and two sixes, helping India to set a commanding 251-run target against the West Indies batting line-up.
“‘IT IS MISSING LEG STUMP. WE WILL WASTE ONE REVIEW,” DHONI WAS HEARD TELLING KOHLI OVER TAKING A DRS APPEAL,