MS Dhoni is the best ODI finisher claims Aussie great Ian Chappell

MS Dhoni was awarded the Man of the Series award in the recently concluded three-match ODI series against Australia which the visitors won 2-1. In the first ODI, the former Indian skipper was criticized for his slow innings which led to India finishing on the losing cause. However, the veteran silenced his critics by winning the next two matches for his team where he remained not out on both the occasions and guided his team to victory from a tough situation.

The jury is still out on whether Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s much-acclaimed finishing powers are on the wane but former Australia captain Ian Chappell still considers the World Cup-winning former skipper as the best finisher in the 50-overs format.

The 75-year-old saluted Dhoni’s nerve and longevity saying whenever he thought that the 37-year-old has left it too late, he produced big shots out of nowhere and sealed a nail-biting victory for his team. The Aussie great believes that the calmness Dhoni manages to maintain under such pressure situations is unbeatable as his tactical adeptness is just amazing under such situations.

Nobody has Dhoni’s nerve for finishing off victories

“Nobody has Dhoni’s nerve for finishing off victories. Many times I’ve thought, ‘He’s left it too late this time’, only to be amazed as he produced a couple of powerful shots to bring India a nail-biting victory,” Chappell wrote in his column in ESPNcricinfo.

“His outward calm is no illusion since his tactical adeptness in these situations is proof his brain continues to work perfectly.” he further wrote.

Drawing a comparison with Michael Bevan, who is considered to be one of the greatest finishers of the game, Chappell said Dhoni has surpassed the former Australian number six. The Unley born former cricketer said that Indian wicketkeeper-batsman has overtaken Bevan in all areas to become the Number 1 finisher in 50-overs cricket.

“Where Bevan finished matches with fours, Dhoni does so with sixes. The one area – running between wickets – where you’d expect the fleet-footed Bevan to have an advantage is debatable because even at age 37, Dhoni is among the quickest in the game,” he wrote.

“Even allowing for improved bats and the advantage of playing T20 cricket, statistically Dhoni is superior to Bevan. There can be no argument — Dhoni is the best ODI finisher,” Chappell stated.

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