India ODI captain MS Dhoni appeals during the match against Australia at MCG.
© AFP
In a match where Rohit Sharma slammed 138 and Mitchell Starc was adjudged man-of-the-match for his six for 43, many could be forgiven for not noticing India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Making his way back as leader after quitting� Tests, Dhoni appeared as if he had never really left - marshaling his men with authority. (1st ODI report | Highlight | Scorecard )
A veteran of 251 ODIs, Dhoni received a rapturous welcome when he came in to bat after India lost their fourth wicket at 185. While Dhoni could only add 18 with the blade, his main contribution came later when his team came out to defend 267. Well-known for rotating his bowlers and making shrewed field changes, the 33-year-old showed just why he is the best man to lead India's World Cup defense. (Also read: Rohit vs Warner spat heats up tri-series )
Australia batted well for most parts of the chase. Aaron Finch struck 96 and stitched key partnerships with fellow batsmen to put the bowlers to test. Dhoni however, hardly looked tense at any stage and eventually got the breakthroughs he was plotting. The hosts went from 216/2 to 230/5 in the 44th over. Although Brad Haddin and James Faulkner eventually scraped past the target, the match was a close battle without a doubt. "Good game over all," said Dhoni at the post-match conference. "I said (to the team) I don't care about the result," he added referring to how he wanted to focus on the execution of plans.
Indi next face England on Tuesday and Dhoni is focused on getting the best out his players, especially the batsmen. "All three teams are top sides and it's important for the top order to take extra responsibility and give a total our bowlers are comfortable with it," said Dhoni.
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