DRS specialist MS Dhoni’s prudence saves India a review

MS Dhoni is best to none when it comes to hitting the bull’s eye with the DRS appeal and during the first ODI between Australia and India in Sydney on Saturday too, the ace wicket-keeper showed his prudence over the same. The commentators though thought India missed an opportunity by not going for a review after the ball hit the batsman right in front of the wicket, but Dhoni’s ‘better safe than sorry’ approach reiterated that the man plays it smartly.

It was in the 11th over when a delivery from pacer Mohammed Shami hit Usman Khawaja in front of the stumps and the Indians, including Dhoni, went up in appeal. The umpire Michael Gough, however, remained unmoved and as the Indian fielders along with Shami considered going for an appeal upstairs, the veteran wicketkeeper advised captain Virat Kohli that “it was the bowler’s call” as the pitch of the delivery wasn’t on the length, as per his take.

India’s record in DRS appeal, especially in Test cricket, has been found to be ordinary ever since Dhoni left the arena. However, Kohli’s headache almost vanishes in the limited-overs as DRS expert Dhoni still takes a stance in this format. On Saturday, too, Kohli went by Dhoni’s advice and didn’t risk the remaining review that India had. The replays showed that Dhoni’s concerns were right as the ball landed a bit outside the leg-stump which ruled the leg before out of the equation.

Here’s the video

Australia score 288 for 5 in first ODI

Khawaja was batting on 9 from 21 balls and he went on to score 59 runs in 81 deliveries to steady the Australian innings after they lost two early wickets. Khawaja was eventually trapped before the wicket by spinner Ravindra Jadeja and Australia, powered by three half-centuries and an unbeaten 47 from Marcus Stoinis, reached 288 for 5 in 50 overs after their captain Aaron Finch won the toss and elected to bat. Pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar and spinner Kuldeep Yadav took two wickets each while Jadeja claimed one scalp.

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