Ravichandran Ashwin salutes MS Dhoni after his match-winning knock at MCG

After a forgettable 2018, it looks as if MS Dhoni has risen like a phoenix from the ashes. The ace wicketkeeper-batsman, who under all probabilities played in his final tour of Australia, came out with a stellar 87 not out in the deciding third game of the ODI series in Melbourne to guide his side home to register a 7-wicket win. It was Dhoni’s third successive fifty in the series and the 70th in his illustrious career. He was adjudged the player of series having been at the centre of another historic series for the Men in Blue.

India were under pressure during the chase of 231 in the final game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground as Dhoni started slowly. But his unbeaten 121-run partnership with Kedar Jadhav who also came up with a well-crafted half-century in his first game of the series and finished off the match with four deliveries to go. After their historic Test series win Down Under earlier this month, India now have pocketed their maiden bilateral away ODI series against Australia, achieving another milestone.

Ashwin overwhelmed by MSD’s ‘unbelievable composure and resolve’

Ace India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, like several other cricket lovers, saluted the 37-year-old Dhoni for his remarkable chase in the pressure game, saying chasing target is something the latter is born for. He also said the wicket-keeper-batsman had an “unbelievable composure and resolve”.

Dhoni scored 51 and 55 not out in the first two games in Sydney and Adelaide at an average of 193 and these runs came after a dry period covering 22 matches. The first fifty though came under criticism for its slowness, the 55 off 54 balls brought back memories of the vintage Dhoni.

The final game saw Dhoni batting at the No.4 position in the order from No.5 and he spent time at the crease for 33 overs after keeping for 48.4 overs, giving enough evidence about his fitness.

Another day, another final of sorts and @msdhoni hunts down another chase like he was born for that purpose. Unbelievable composure and resolve #INDvAUS #MSDhoni

— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) January 18, 2019

India also achieved unprecedented success in the just concluded tour of Australia by remaining unbeaten in all the three formats. They drew the three-match T20I series 1-1 after losing the first game before going on to make history in the Test series.

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