Fans chant MS Dhoni's name at Wankhede after KL Rahul misses David Warner's catch

It was a shellacking of highest proportions; one which was compounded by the insipid team selections, outrageous shot-making, the relentlessness of the opposition and lack of any venom in their bowling unit. In the end, the Men in Blue were consigned a ten-wicket hammering at the hands of the rampaging Aussies, their first on home soil since 2005.

One of the sights that have become a common feature on Indian grounds in the past six-seven months, is the continuous chanting of MS Dhoni’s name by the raucous Indian crowd every time their wicketkeeper makes a mistake with the gloves.

KL Rahul was at the receiving end of the hostile chants from the crowd when the makeshift wicketkeeper missed what was a very difficult chance to catch an inside edge off David Warner’s bat during the 25th over of the Australian innings. And, as the ball started to go towards the boundary, the crowd at the Wankhede started to chant, “Dhoni, Dhoni, Dhoni!!”

Rishabh Pant has also been at the receiving end of ‘MS Dhoni’ chants

Regular wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant was at the receiving end of the ‘Dhoni Dhoni’ chants, every time he fumbled the ball or missed the stumping during the series against South Africa, Bangladesh and the West Indies. In fact, the situation had escalated to such an extent that the Indian captain had to request the crowd to be a little patient with the likes of Pant.

“We certainly believe in Rishabh’s ability. But I think it’s a collective responsibility of everyone around as well to give that player some space to do well. If he misses a chance, people can’t shout MS’ (Dhoni) name in the stadium as well.”

“It’s not respectful because no player would like that to happen. You are playing in your own country and you should get support rather than always thinking what mistake this guy is gonna make. No one wants to be in that position,” Kohli had said.

Meanwhile, the reason why Rahul was keeping the wickets in the first ODI was because Pant was hit by a Pat Cummins bouncer, one that eventually led to his dismissal.

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— Darsh brahmbhatt (@darsh164) January 14, 2020