'Slow' MSD booed by fans at Lord's

MS Dhoni walked his way into record books on Saturday after he became the only third batsman to reach 10,000 ODI runs during the second match against England on Saturday. But unfortunately, the day will be remembered for Captain Cool being booed down by the crowd at the famed Lord's for an extremely slow run rate.

India were at 140/4 when Dhoni walked into the field, aiming to latch up 183 runs in 23 overs and the asking run rate was just below eight. The crowd and probably the rest of the Men in Blue expected MSD to step on the accelerator. But there was none of the helicopter shots or aggressive line of playing from MSD, and loud boos rang around in the stadium after he blocked a few balls. Dhoni was out for 37 (off 59 balls) at 46.1 overs and India were reeling at 215/8, staring at a difficult run rate of 16. India managed to reach only 236 in 50 overs and England levelled the series 1-1.

However, captain Virat Kohli defended Dhoni, as he has done umpteen times.

When former England skipper Nasser Hussain asked the question about Dhoni's approach, Kohli didn't look amused.

"This thing comes up again and again when he's not able to play the way he does," Kohli said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

"It's unfortunate that people jump into conclusions quickly. When he does well, people call him the best finisher ever, and when things do not go well, people pounce on him," the Indian captain seemed trifle irritated with the kneejerk reactions from fans and critics alike.

"The idea was to take the innings deep. He has the experience but sometimes it doesn't come off. We totally believe in him and the ability of all the players," the skipper said. Kohli on his part said that it was one bad day and also the fact that England brought forth their A game.

With less than a year to go for the World Cup, Dhoni is very much in the scheme of things of the Indian team management for his vast experience and ability to read any match situations.

However, his waning abilities to carry the team alone in pressure situations at times has come under scanner.

Since the home ODI series against Australia last September, Dhoni has batted 13 times scoring 267 runs with four not outs. The average has been 29.66 which can be put in perspective considering at what time of the innings, he comes into bat.

However, the most telling statistic is a strike-rate of 78.07 which is an indication that he is not able to force the pace down the order right at the onset.

(With PTI inputs)

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