MS Dhoni is a master at finishing matches, says Australia head coach Justin Langer

Everyone is awaiting the arrival of MS Dhoni back on the cricketing field. The former India captain will be seen playing competitive cricket after a long time when he leads the Chennai Super Kings in the upcoming IPL 2020. The ‘Yellow Army’ is slated to play the opening match of IPL 13 against defending champions Mumbai Indians in the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on March 29.

Dhoni, however, has not played for India in international cricket since the Men in Blue lost the semi-final of the ICC World Cup 2019 against New Zealand. He missed the remainder of the 2019 calendar of the Indian team and his return to international cricket depends on how his IPL 13 performance goes. The widely regarded best finisher in the world of white-ball cricket, Dhoni is still revered by his fans who want to see him playing for India again.

The 38-year-old’s match finishing skills are unparalleled though he is often compared to the likes of Australia’s Michael Bevan and Michael Hussey. Bevan actually invented the role of a finisher in ODI cricket, finishing many matches for the Kangaroos from impossible situations and Hussey took over the role from Bevan in the mid-2000s and carried forward his legacy.

‘Jos Buttler has also been brilliant for England’: Justin Langer

One person who played a lot of cricket with Bevan and Hussey is current Australia head coach Justin Langer and he called MS Dhoni a master at finishing the matches, along with Bevan and Hussey. “We’ve been fortunate in the past with a Mike Hussey or a Michael Bevan who are masters at it. MS Dhoni is a master of it, Jos Buttler has been brilliant at it for England. What I’ve learned is everyone in the world is looking for it,” Langer was quoted as saying by ICC.

However, currently, Australia is in search to fulfil this role as they were thrashed 3-0 by South Africa in recently concluded 50-over matches series. Mitchell Marsh was tried at no.6 spot and managed 32 and 36 runs respectively in the second and third matches. Now the Kangaroos will face New Zealand in upcoming ODIs and Langer feels the spot is open for grabs.

“So it’s a role that’s there for someone to grab hold of. No one at this stage has absolutely secured it, have they? But there are good opportunities there for someone to do that,” Langer added. Australia and New Zealand will face each other in the first ODI on Friday, March 13.