India vs Australia: Stats show MS Dhoni will be a big danger for visitors in second T20I

MS Dhoni had a bad day at the office when India took on Australia in the first T20I on Sunday. The veteran batsman, fresh off his fine show in Australia and New Zealand, found the going tough in Vizag as Australian bowlers kept things tight throughout the innings. India were reeling at 80 for 3 when Dhoni arrived in the middle to join KL Rahul. However, with wickets falling at regular intervals from the other end, Dhoni decided to drop the anchors.

In fact, he never quite managed to get going and could score only 29 off 37 deliveries with the help of just one six. Dhoni also faced the flak after refusing almost eight singles during the game which eventually made the difference in the end as Australia chased down 126 on the very last ball of the game.

But at the same time, one cannot deny the fact that it was Dhoni’s slow and cautious innings on that sluggish track that ultimately propelled India to a fighting total. India had nearly pulled off a win before Umesh Yadav failed to defend 14 runs in the final over. In fact, after the conclusion of the game, even Australia star Glenn Maxwell had defended Dhoni, saying that shot-making was not easy on the pitch.

“It (the slow strike rate) was probably fair enough. With the way the wicket was behaving, it was difficult to score for any batter, let alone a guy who is not known for his power-hitting in Chahal,” Maxwell had said.

Dangerous signs for the visitors

Australia might have managed to keep Dhoni silent in the series-opener but should not get complacent ahead of the second T20I. The former India skipper enjoys a stunning track record in Bengaluru – the venue for the upcoming game. So far, the legendary batsman has amassed 536 runs in 17 T20s which is the second most runs scored by him at a venue in his career.

In all the venues he’s batted for more than 5 innings, his average of 59.55 is the 3rd best. In fact, the last time India played a T20I at this venue, he had scored 56 off 36 balls, which was his first 50 in T20Is.

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