Virat Kohli throws weight behind MS Dhoni, calls him a legend

Manchester: Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s failure to accelerate in middle overs might be a cause of concern for critics but it is not an issue for India captain Virat Kohli who defended the veteran wicketkeeper-batsman, calling his experience and feedback invaluable.

Dhoni faced criticism for his failure to rotate the strike against Afghanistan and even against the West Indies on Thursday, the former India skipper initially found the going tough before getting 16 runs in the final over to finish on 56 off 61 deliveries and take India to 268 for seven.

“Dhoni knows exactly what he wants to do in the middle. When he has an off day here and there, everyone starts talking. We always back him. He has won us so many games,” Kohli said after India dismissed West Indies for 143 in 34.2 overs to notch up a 125-run win here.

“The best thing about having someone like him is when you need those 15-20 runs, he knows exactly how to get them. His experience, 8 out of 10 times has come good for us,” he added.

Kohli said it was Dhoni who assured the team that 268 was going to be an easily defendable total for India.

“We have quite a few players who play instinctive cricket and follow their game plans. He’s such a keen understanding of the game. Always sends us feedback, that you know 260 is a good score. He’s a legend of the game. We all know that.”

India dethroned England to rise to the top of One-day International rankings and Kohli said he is happy with his team’s overall performance. “I can’t complain, we just became No.1 yesterday as far as rankings are concerned, to be honest, we are playing that way for a while, need to continue that way. Things haven’t gone our way with the bat in the last two games, but we have still done well to win, that’s being the most pleasing thing,” he said.

Kohli scored two successive fifties in difficult conditions — a 67 off 63 balls against Afghanistan and 72 off 82 balls against West Indies Thursday. “I am happy with my own contribution as well. Last game, we didn’t calculate well, we lost two quick wickets, but today we improved,” said the India skipper, who was adjudged the Man of the match for his crucial fifty.

“I look to play in my own way, happy to take the ones and twos which I think is a big factor in ODI cricket. Two difficult pitches, I’m happy with my contribution and look forward to doing more of the same in the future,” he said.

Kohli also praised Hardik Pandya (46 off 38) and Dhoni for taking India to a competitive total. “Hardik played really well and MS finished strongly. When those two play that way, we always get to a good total,” he said. 

 Dhoni bhai was right in taking time: Jasprit Bhumrah

India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah feels Mahendra Singh Dhoni played a “top-rated” knock in the World Cup clash against the West Indies and did the right thing by taking his time in the middle.

Dhoni’s rate of scoring has been a topic of debate. On Thursday, the former skipper scored 56 off 61 balls, exploding in the last over, to help India post a winning 268-run total on the board against the Caribbeans.

“The innings that he played is the kind which is very under-rated. Sometimes you might feel that he is batting slow but sometimes it is important that he takes time, which he did,” Bumrah said on bcci.tv.

“He absorbs the pressure and takes the game deep. It was top-rated innings and got us to 268, which was a good total on this pitch. He knew there were pinch-hitters coming later so he could take his time. Youngsters can learn a lot from this knock,” he added.

Speaking of his own performance, the world No.1 ODI bowler reflected on the two-wicket haul which could well have been a hat-trick. “While bowling the hat-trick ball I was hoping the batsman (Kemar Roach) would expect a fast yorker.

So, I thought I would bowl a slower one. I executed it as well but he managed to stop it. But I am glad I could execute what I planned,” he said referring to the 27th over delivery.