Virat Kohli rates MS Dhoni as the best finisher in world cricket

Virat Kohli has praised Mahendra Singh Dhoni and called him the “best finisher in the world” after the India skipper made short work of Bangladesh with a flurry of sixes and boundaries in the final of the Asia Cup in Mirpur. In the last two overs, India required 19 runs and skipper Dhoni (20 not out off six balls) hit a huge six over deep mid-wicket off Al-Amin Hossain and another cracking blow over deep extra cover before finishing the match with another six.

“I think Shikhar (Dhawan) played himself in really nicely. My only aim was to keep going at the other end so that the run-rate doesn’t stop. I had to understand my role. Once Shikhar got towards the end of his innings, I hit two or three boundaries which released pressure for us. Then MS Dhoni came in and did what he does best. He is the best finisher in the world. All in all, it was a wonderful game,” Kohli told bcci.tv after India lifted the Asia Cup trophy for the sixth time.

On Sunday Dhoni walked out to the crease, promoting himself, perhaps, for the first time in a final after winning for India the 2011 World Cup. The first ball of the 13th over — it was a 15-over game because of rain — pitched just on the length, a shade outside off stump. Dhoni planted his foot on the track, swung his bat and deposited it 105 metres away into the midwicket boundary.

This certainly wasn’t Dhoni’s best innings. In T-20, getting 20 runs off the last two overs is a luxury and off one a challenge. Perhaps, any other Indian batsmen could have taken India home in the final overs. But, for his fans, Dhoni’s arrival at the crease had its own symbolism. Just a day ago, a Bangladeshi fan had morphed a picture showing Dhoni’s decapitated head in the hands of Taskin Ahmed.