India vs Australia: The Ranchi game might just be MS Dhoni's final game at his home ground

Recently, the ‘Universe Boss’ Chris Gayle played his last ODI match in the West Indies, as the veteran batsman had announced his retirement plans just ahead of the home series against England. Gayle will don the Windies jersey for the final time during the Caribbeans’ campaign in the World Cup. Today as India play the 3rd ODI against Australia, it might be MS Dhoni’s final match at his home- Ranchi.

The local hero, former Indian captain MS Dhoni arrived in Ranchi for the game against Australia and received a remarkable reception. His fans turned up in huge numbers to welcome the Indian wicketkeeper. MS and his wife Sakshi Dhoni acted with a humble gesture by hosting a dinner party for the entire India team at their residence. The Men in Blue currently lead the five-match series by a margin of 2-0.

As a couple of more ODI matches will be remaining in the series after the game in Ranchi, Indian cricketers will begin preparations for the 12th edition of the Indian Premier League. Next comes the main event, the ICC World Cup 2019 which is to be held in England. The world event will commence on May 30. With everything in mind, it’s still emotional for the fans as it might be Dhoni’s final match in Ranchi according to Times Now.

Before the start of the 3rd ODI, Dhoni presented camouflaged army caps to the entire Indian cricket team as a tribute from the Men in Blue to the Indian Armed Forces. It was an initiative by Dhoni himself, who is a Lt. Col. with the Territorial Army. Captain Virat Kohli joined him and announced that all the Indian team players would donate their match fee to families of the 40 CRPF personnel who lost their lives in the Pulwama attack.

Dhoni, the highlight of the Ranchi ODI

Before Dhoni’s arrival at Ranchi, it was declared by the Jharkhand States Cricket Association(JSCA) secretary Debashis Chakraborty that a pavilion in the JSCA International Cricket Stadium would be named after their local hero MS Dhoni. The former Indian captain received a warm reception from his fans as they asked for selfies and autographs after practice on Thursday.

In Ranchi, however, Dhoni has amassed just 21 runs in three matches, prior to this ODI game. Even though Dhoni was dismissed for a first-ball duck in the 2nd ODI – which India went on to win by 8 runs- he’s in good form as he scored four successive international fifties against Australia since the series down under.

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