This is the first time since MS Dhoni announced his retirement that team India is traveling to Australia. And the team is surely missing his presence in the team as India lost to Australia by 66 runs while chasing an improbable 375 in the 1st ODI match at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
Though team India managed to cross the 300-run mark but the team rarely looked in form. The Australian cricket team outperformed India in all the departments of the game. Shikhar Dhawan and Hardik Pandya somehow managed to save India from suffering a humiliating defeat.
Recently, in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Michael Holding reviewed India’s struggles during the chase and pointed out the absence of the MS Dhoni factor. Well, while pointing out the struggles of the Men in Blue, Holding reckoned that India used to chase well with MS Dhoni in their playing XI.
Calling the current team a talented side, Holding claimed that the team needs a finisher like Dhoni. He said while all the current Indian batsmen are talented but the team is missing the calmness of MS Dhoni during the chase. He said:
“It was always going to be difficult for India to chase that down. One thing India will struggle with is the loss of Mahendra Singh Dhoni. MS Dhoni comes in to this Indian batting order halfway down and he usually takes control while chasing. India have chased so well in the past with MS Dhoni in the team,”
He added:
“They’ve never been afraid to win the toss and insert the opposition because they know what MS Dhoni is capable of. This batting lineup that they’ve got is still very talented – we saw some talented players and fantastic stroke play. But they still need a player like Dhoni. Not just his skills but his strength of character.
Calling MS Dhoni a special man in the team, Holding stated that MS Dhoni knows his ability and how to go about the chase. He also said that MS Dhoni used to talk with his team during the game and used to help them out. He said:
“We never see MS Dhoni panicking at any stage while India are chasing. He usually paces that chase so well because he knows his ability and he knows how to go about the chase. Whoever is batting with him, he is always talking with them and helping them. Fantastic batting lineup, but MS Dhoni was a special man in the run-chase,”
