A vice versa result was not expected by any Indian cricket fan or the pundits alike at Kochi when West Indies handed a ‘˜thrashing’ in the first ODI in the 5-match series.
A vice versa result was not expected by any Indian cricket fan or the pundits alike at Kochi when West Indies handed a ‘thrashing’ in the first ODI in the 5-match series. Put into bat by MS Dhoni, the West Indies rode on to a scintillating ton from Marlon Samuels (126) as they posted a huge score of 321.
In reply, Team India never looked comfortable as the Men In Blue were handed out a spanking defeat by a margin of 124 runs. The Caribbeans who were on the verge of boycotting the series earlier in the day, were heads and tails above their opponents as the former outspun and outplayed the hosts in every department.
So what was the REASON behind the loss, that too, so excruciating? Answer – MS Dhoni! The Indian skipper will not mend the ways of playing the same tactics and strategies that have failed over and over again. The following traits of captain MS Dhoni will let you know:
1 – Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammad Shami need a REST!
Indian pace duo, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammad Shami were average in the 1st ODI against the West Indies and there is one reason to support that – no rest! Both the bowlers have not received ample amount of rest during the season (England tour) and it seems the extra hours in the nets as well, has taken a toll on their physique.
2 – Give Kuldeep Yadav a go
On previous occasions as well, MS Dhoni has refrained from using youngsters drafted in the team into the playing eleven. In 2011, Dhoni did not give Varun Aaron a chance to play in the Tests against England and it seems the 19-year old Kuldeep Yadav could also suffer the same faith.
3 – Virat Kohli must be dropped
How often has Virat Kohli been through a rough patch and bounced back? None. The Delhi-born has been on a poor form off-late and if it continues, India’s World Cup chances could take a snag. MSD must come up with a solution or either drop the star batsman in order to accommodate another player.
4 – Take a gamble with the spinners
Dhoni is a master when it comes to the usage of his two spinners – Ravi Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. But on Wednesday, the spin department came a cropper as the likes of Marlon Samuels and Denesh Ramdin took on the attack. With Amit Mishra in the team, Dhoni must go for the jugular and place field according to the bowler and not to himself!
5 – Come higher in the batting order
Yesterday’s game featured a peculiar strategy from the West Indies skipper Dwayne Bravo who opened the batting alongside Dwayne Smith and gave the visitors a good start. That’s where MSD fails as the Dhoni the batsman has yet to score a feasible amount of runs in the middle-order and must rise up in the order if they are to pose a great challenge ahead.
With the World Cup in mind, Dhoni’s stubbornness might hamper Team India’s chances in Australia/New Zealand. But can he change?
