Indian fans turn on MS Dhoni after shock loss at SCG
MS Dhoni has been slammed by his own countrymen despite scoring a half-century in the first ODI against Australia.
Dhoni peeled off 51 in a 137-run partnership with Rohit Sharma on Saturday night, and was only dismissed when he was on the receiving end of a horror lbw decision.
However his 51 came off 96 balls, and fans were left fuming that he’d chewed up so many deliveries when the tourists were behind the eight-ball.
Dhoni’s inclusion in the team came at the expense of exciting youngster Rishabh Pant, who was India’s second-highest scorer in the Test series.
India fans have flocked to social media to call for Dhoni’s dumping and Pant’s promotion.
What a joke , !!!! Dhoni is pathetic ,
— Manj (@Manj96288233) January 12, 2019
Dhoni played for himself with a pathetic strike rate..
No excuse Mr Dhoni. Rohit also played on same pitch same situation.. #AusvInd— Nayeem نعیم (@Nayeemnasar) January 12, 2019
50 in 95 balls….irrespective of the situation is a pathetic one day score and reflects on the age and performance. Dhoni should retire gracefully
— Jaws (@head3hunter) January 12, 2019
It is high time that ms Dhoni must replace by pant otherwise indian team hampers very badly in Dhoni's presence.
— PRABHAKAR MEHRA (@prabhakarmunu) January 13, 2019
We lost bcoz of Dhoni ,….. #AUSvIND
— satish jain (@ArSatishjain) January 12, 2019
Still can't understand why Dhoni is in the middle instead of Rishabh Pant.#INDvsAUS #AUSvIND #AUSvsIND
— Varun babutta (@someonecovers) January 12, 2019
We don't need 3 wicket-keeper bats but proper bats. DK must go and Pant must replace Dhoni.
We have enough talent in Rayadu, Kedar, Mayank, Prithvi to play no. 4 & 5.#AusvInd
— Name cannot be blank (@bluntonomics) January 13, 2019
The same guy scored centuries in england and australia in a single year when dhoni couldn't in his entire career. Pant will fit right in at no.4. He could be the x factor that we need for the wc.
— Kartiknarayanan (@Kartiknarayana2) January 13, 2019
Dhoni should retire from all form of cricket, he should give way to young cricketer Rishabh pant who is bat excellent in test cricket, pant can do in one days also, Yesterday India lost only 34runs, Indians chased big scores, Dhoni done a good batting in past, it is a history
— Pramod Kumar (@PramodK04721687) January 13, 2019
FOR THE REST OF THE OZ & NZ TOUR
Rohit
Gabbar
Virat
Gill
Hardik
Pant
Jaddu
Bhuvanesh
Kuldeep
Shami
Chahal.Additional four in the 15
Mayank
Shankar
Ashwin
DhoniFor the WC in England, Jasprit comes in place of one of the spinners.
Prerequisite: Fire CoAPrithvi (wait & see)
— Jose Puliampatta (@JosePuliampatta) January 13, 2019
Don't think he would get another opportunity to bat long here… we have a solid top3 and that's why I believe we don't need Dhoni anymore… Pant on the flat tracks in England could be the difference between 310 and 350.. We are anyway not gonna win if top 3 fails…
— vamsi Krishna (@wamseekrrishna) January 12, 2019
Dhoni had great career.superb player and awesome captain but need of the time is pant.#Dhoni
— Sonu (@aawarasonu) January 12, 2019
Sharma goes in to bat for Dhoni
However Sharma, who scored a brilliant 133 off 129 balls, rejected criticism of Dhoni’s strike-rate of 53.1, suggesting the former skipper was worthy of a promotion up the order.
“I personally always feel that Dhoni batting at No.4 will be ideal for the team,” he said.
“But we have got Rayudu, who has done really well now at No.4.
“It totally depends on what the captain and coach think about it.
“I would be happy if Dhoni bats at No.4.”
India will mull Dhoni’s best fit in the batting order, as well as how best to use the Decision Review System (DRS) as they seek to bounce back from the shock loss.
The tourists, widely considered the greatest threat to England’s hopes of World Cup victory on home soil later this year, crashed to a 34-run loss in Saturday’s series opener at the SCG.
The series continues at Adelaide Oval on Tuesday, leaving India little time to address what went wrong in Sydney.
with AAP
