Sanjay Manjrekar analyses MS Dhoni's current form in ODIs

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar is very vocal about his opinions on the sport. Manjrekar, who is currently an active commentator and an analyst, recently provided his insights on the current form of Indian wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni. Setting the backdrop right, Dhoni’s heroics recently helped the Indian team register a historic series win against Australia. The Men in Blue beat the hosts 2-1 to clinch the series after winning the Tests as well.

In all the three matches played in the series, Dhoni hammered fifties, staying unbeaten on two occasions as he took the side over the line. However, the way he had approached the first ODI, playing a rather sluggish knock before getting dismissed, had drawn the ire of the fans. Taking all the performances into consideration, Sanjay Manjrekar noted that the veteran cricketer has his software set right, but the hardware seems to be causing issues now.

With this, Manjrekar meant that the brain is still functioning as well as it used to about a decade ago. However, his body has taken a toll and that is evident from the fact that he is unable to hit sixes at will as he used to do a few years ago.

“[Dhoni is] clearly not at his prime… The software – his intention, his mind is still at its prime. He knows exactly what is needed. The hardware is not quite keeping in touch with the software. The hardware was a lot better 5-10 years back. He would hit sixes at will… he doesn’t have that ability or the confidence now but he finds ways to stay there till the end,” Manjrekar was quoted as saying on ESPNcricinfo.

Also read- 5 Reasons why MS Dhoni shouldn’t retire after World Cup 2019

Taking the game till the end

Pointing out another key aspect of Dhoni’s game, the Mumbaikar praised his ability to take the game to the end and then put the bowler under pressure. Manjrekar recalled that former Pakistani skipper Javed Miandad had this very trait in him as well.

“He [Dhoni] mentioned in the post-match presentation as well the calculations as to which bowler to go after and take the match deep. His great philosophy the one that has made him and all-time great is “stay there till the end”. I remember Javed Miandad also had a similar strategy take the match till the end and feed off the nervous energy of the bowler,” the former cricketer further added.

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