In Stats: Dhoni & Pandya’s Partnership Rescues India in First ODI

MS Dhoni and Hardik Pandya strung a partnership of 118 runs for the sixth wicket in the first ODI against Australia.

MS Dhoni in action during the first ODI against Australia.

(Photo: BCCI)

The Virat Kohli-led Indian team maintained their form in the first ODI against Australia as well. After winning all the matches in the tour of Sri Lanka, India defeated Australia by 26 runs (DLS method) in Chennai on Sunday.

Team India had their backs to the wall when, after opting to bat first in the first ODI in Chennai, they slipped to 11 for 3 in the first six overs. Rohit Sharma and Kedar Jadhav then put the innings on track with a 53-run stand, before their dismissals in quick succession meant India were reduced to 87-5 with more than 28 overs to be bowled in the innings.

Then came the recovery – through MS Dhoni and Hardik Pandya, who scored half-centuries and added 118 runs for the sixth wicket. Their association not only brought team India back into the contest, but also guided them to a commanding first innings total. India reached 281-7 – the best they have recovered to, after losing 3 or more wickets for 11 runs or fewer.

The stand between Dhoni and Hardik was special – for cricketing reasons and others. One tends to expect such performances from Dhoni – who possesses the coolest heads and is a proven hand at playing the ‘rescue and finish’ acts.

In recent times, Hardik has been identified as the heir-apparent to Dhoni’s role as finisher, and it was therefore heartening to see Hardik apply himself and flourish in the company of the master himself.

Despite Dhoni being the senior partner in the partnership, the 36-year-old was happy playing second-fiddle. One could interpret what happened there in a couple of ways: it could be seen as Hardik batting freely knowing he had Dhoni at the other end or, it could be seen as Dhoni taking his time and not taking too many risks early on knowing Hardik was capable of doing plenty of damage once he got going.

As it transpired, Hardik batted responsibly early on, but decided to cut loose in one particular over. He was batting on 35 from 45 balls when he picked out Adam Zampa for special treatment.

He hit the leg-spinner for a four and three consecutive sixes, collecting 23 runs off the 37th over of the innings.

There was plenty to like about Hardik’s innings – his application, choice of shots, and his decision to target one particular bowler and take full toll. Though he was dismissed playing what can be termed an ugly stroke, he had done plenty of damage already.

He made 83 from 66 balls – his highest score in all 50-over cricket he has so far played. The 23-year will rue that he blew up an opportunity to score a maiden century in one-day cricket – he was dismissed when there were more than nine overs remaining in the innings. But one is sure, he would have learnt a lot from this innings, particularly given the time he spent in the middle batting alongside Dhoni.

While Hardik’s 83 was the top-score of the innings, one must not forget Dhoni’s contribution. When Dhoni walked out to bat, India had lost a well-set Rohit Sharma and were 64 for 4 at the end of 16 overs. At such times, with the opposition on top, it is quite easy for batsmen to get bogged down or succumb to the pressure of the situation. Not MS Dhoni though, who seemed oblivious of the dire situation team India were in.

It appeared the 36-year old was focussed on protecting his wicket and wanted to bat to the end; as has been the case with him in recent times, he started slowly and played out plenty of dot deliveries early on. But come the home stretch, it was vintage Dhoni.

He had not hit a boundary until he had consumed 66 balls, but in the final three overs, he hit two big sixes and helped himself to three boundaries. He was 36 from 61 balls at the end of 40 overs, and thereafter added 43 from 27 balls in the final ten – at a strike-rate of 159.26 – to finish at 79 from 88 balls.

For the record, this 79 was MS Dhoni’s 100th half-century in international cricket and made him the second wicket-keeper (after Kumar Sangakkara) to score more than 4,000 runs in ODIs at home.

Courtesy Dhoni’s blitz, and his 72-run partnership with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, India had added 83 runs in the final ten overs to finish at 281-7.

There was a bit of agony for the fans as the rain gods descended on the Chepauk Stadium.

Due to a spell of rain for three hours, Australia’s chase was curtailed by 29 overs. The visitors were given a revised target of 164 runs from 21 overs.

The men in yellow failed to string partnerships during their chase and kept losing wickets at regular intervals.

Eventually, the Australians ended up scoring 137/9 in 21 overs.