LONDON – MS Dhoni has been slammed by former players after his low-spiritedinnings in India’s World Cup 2019 defeat to England on Sunday.
The former Indian skipper finished unbeaten on 42 from 31 balls during31-run defeat England at Edgbaston as India lost their unbeaten tag at thismega event.
When the 37-year-old came to the crease, the run-rate was at almost 11 butit quickly rose to 15 as he appeared content to pick up singles. Dhoniscored four boundaries later in his innings before hitting India’s only sixin the penultimate over but it was not nearly enough as Virat Kohli’s sideslipped to a defeat, reports Metro.
The result represents a significant blow to Pakistan’s hopes of progressingin the tournament, with England now may reach the semi-finals at theirexpense if they beat New Zealand on Wednesday.
Pakistan fans took to social media to vent their frustration at Dhoni andnow a number of ex-players have criticised the veteran’s approach.
Former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum told Sky Sports: “It wasbizarre. These guys have finished games so many times before and fromharder positions. They didn’t really play a shot towards the end. ‘Creditto England, they bowled well and held their nerve. But it was bizarre andan anti-climax. We all expected a tight finish but India’s big finale nevercame”.
Fellow ex-Kiwi star, Daniel Vettori, added to ESPNcricinfo: “The bowlingand fielding was very good. England took the pace off and mixed it up,their game-plans were great. But I also thought Dhoni and Kedar Jadhavdidn’t have the right intent. I expecting to see them clearing their frontleg and trying to hit sixes every ball but they were just nurdling itaround. They had to go all out to try and win the game. It didn’t matter ifthey lost at that point because it felt like they were going to loseanyway”.
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Former India international Murali Karthik, meanwhile, said “At least godown fighting. It was not the case of nurdling it around and getting a notout. You have to try and hit balls rather than nurdle. I am not saying theywould have won and you can’t blame them for the loss, but at least go downfighting”.
*Virat Kohli defends MS*
Virat Kohli has defended MS Dhoni after the India legend received criticismfor his performance in the World Cup defeat to England.
He said: “It’s up to the discussions with the two guys in there. MS wastrying really hard to get the boundaries. It wasn’t easy because they werebowling really well. When the run-rate got to 14-15 it became tough. Wewill sit down and assess and try to improve in the next game.”
“No one likes to lose but you have to take it in your stride and understandthat the opposition played better on the day. English side was moreclinical in the executions of their plans. We have to accept that. The moodis the same – it’s a setback and we have to brush it aside and moveforward”.
