MS Dhoni reviews Jasprit Bumrah's LBW decision before umpire raises finger, nails it
Dharamsala: MS Dhoni’s critics had their mouths zipped on Sunday after the former India captain struck a gritty half-century during their first ODI loss against Sri Lanka at Dharamsala on Sunday.
Not only that, the wicketkeeper-batsman also displayed why he also possesses one of the most tactical brains, after correctly guessing another Decision Review System.
Being put to bat first, the Indian batting was left in tatters with 8 wickets down as MS Dhoni and Jasprit Bumrah aimed to steer the Men in Blue from deep waters.
Read: Denied meeting with Jasprit Bumrah, India pacer's grandfather commits suicide
During the 33rd over, Sachith Pathirana trapped Bumrah through an LBW dismissal and Dhoni signalled for a review even before the umpire could raise his finger.
When Dhoni made the right call, yet again! https://t.co/mq2lfs2CrZ #BCCI #INDvSL #MSDhoni #JaspritBumrah #DRS
— DC Sports (@_DCSports) December 11, 2017
Soon, Sri Lanka’s celebrations for the India pacer’s wicket was short lived as the decision was overturned by the 3rd umpire. Replays showed the ball pitching just outside off stump and Dhoni got it spot on.
Read: Tragic death! Body of Jasprit Bumrah's grandfather found in Gujarat's Sabarmati river
Twitter lauded the veteran batsmen for his reading of the game:
DRS by @msdhoni before ump raised the finger â˜ðŸ». @cricketaakash said Dhoni Review System (DRS), very well said. Boss of the ODIs for a reason ðŸðŸ™ðŸ»#INDvSL pic.twitter.com/m50If2q7ws
— Mitul Srivastava (@im_Ms7) December 11, 2017
Dhoni asked for DRS even before umpire could raise finger completely. Dhoni Review System for a reason😉
— DHONIsm™ ♥ (@DHONIism) December 10, 2017
It's high time to change DRS from Decision Review System to Dhoni Review System!!!!!
— MJ (@MabelJaneR) December 10, 2017
How can a man be this accurate... #MSDhoni for a reason!!!
Dhoni was so quick to review that. Fastest man ever to play this game with his brain and with his legs #IndvsSL
— Naveen Samy (@ImNsamy) December 10, 2017
The review for Bhumrah just now, proved once again, why is #MSD such an asset even now!
— Vishal Pandey (@VishalP1011) December 10, 2017
Wonderful cricketing mind and a marvelous game reader! #IndvsSL #Dhoni #Dharamshala
D.R.S. = Dhoni Review System @msdhoni #dhoni #msd #msdhoni #bumrah #IndvsSl pic.twitter.com/SBINhBcaS2
— Comedy Blues (@comedy_blues) December 10, 2017
Never Mess With Dhoni Review System .
— Karthie (@KarthieMSD) December 10, 2017
The Gujarat speedster couldn’t make much of the lifeline as he was dismissed by the spinner during his 3rd over.
Also read: Denied meeting with Jasprit Bumrah, India pacer's grandfather commits suicide
Had former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni not stood tall amid ruins with a face-saving 65 off 87 balls, India at one point of time reduced to 29 for 7 and in danger of recording their lowest ever ODI score. Their previous lowest was 54 against a formidable Sri Lanka in Sharjah back in 2000.
During Sri Lanka's chase, Upul Tharanga blasted 49 off 46 balls with the help of 10 boundaries as the visitors overhauled the target with 29.2 overs to spare.
The win enabled Sri Lanka to break the ignominy of 12 straight defeats in ODIs and also their first win against India in a bilateral series in the current year after losing all international matches at home as well as the Test series here. With Sri Lanka taking a 1-0 lead, India's chances of grabbing the No 1 spot in the ICC ODI rankings is pretty minimal.