India missed the control and composure of MS Dhoni, reckons Michael Holding
Michael Holding believes India missed the control and composure of MS Dhoni in the middle order in their loss to Australia. Virat Kohli’s men got outplayed by the Australian outfit in the first ODI between the two sides on Friday. India’s middle order crumbled under pressure, making a chase of 375 almost impossible just near the 15th over mark.
“It was always going to be difficult for India to chase that down. One thing India will struggle with is the loss of MS Dhoni,” Holding said in a YouTube show ‘Holding Nothing Back’. Holding then stated that it was the calmness of MS Dhoni in the middle order that proved to be crucial at many times in the past.
“MS Dhoni comes into 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,” said Holding.
MS Dhoni retired from international cricket in August this year, ending his 15-year stint with the Indian team where he achieved tremendous success. MS Dhoni has left a huge void in the middle order of the Indian team as he used to slot in at number five, six or seven and get India out of some difficult situations.
“This batting line-up that they have got is still very talented – we saw some talented players and fantastic strokeplay. Hardik Pandya played a beautiful knock but they still need a player like MS Dhoni. Not just his skills but his strength of character,” Holding added.
Holding said that the Indian team was never afraid of chasing big targets with MS Dhoni in the eleven because of sheer brilliance in handling pressure.
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“They have never been afraid to win the toss and insert the opposition because they know what MS Dhoni is capable of and their batting is capable of. We never see Dhoni panicking at any stage while India are chasing. He usually paced that chase so well because he knows his ability and he knows how to go about the chase,” continued Holder.
Whoever is batting with him, he is always talking with them and helping them. Fantastic batting line-up, but MS Dhoni was a special man in the run-chase,” Holding said. Holding also lashed out on the poor fielding by the Indian team in the first ODI against Australia.
“India didn’t help themselves with their fielding. The SCG is a big ground but the boundary rope was still in from the extremes of the boundary. India slipped up on quite a few occasions, with balls going over the fielders’ heads and not going for sixes. There’s no way you should be that far within the boundary,” said Holding.
Kohli and co. dropped atleast four catches in the match and missed a run-out opportunity. “In any ground, it’s a basic principle that you should not be that far in that the ball can go over your head and land within the boundary. If it goes over your head, it should be six and that is just basic,” Holding concluded.