By: Tarish Bhatt
“When the going gets tough, MS Dhoni gets going” – this was once again at display in Indore, when the India skipper played a captain’s knock and inspired his side to register a come-from-behind win over South Africa.
It was the first time on the tour South Africa was somewhat tested by the Indian bowlers, and the Proteas faltered on a routine chase to lose the match, exposing their weakness while batting under pressure.
Although, it wasn’t a clinical performance from India, especially seeing how the Indian batsmen surrendered, but the series leveling win should be enough to boost their confident with three matches are yet to be played in the series.
MS Dhoni, meanwhile, silenced his critics with bats by playing a match-winning innings, but also used his resources to perfection, showing how good a captain he is for India.
The Indian captain attacked South Africa right from the word go, and never allowed the visitors to settle down while chasing an under-par 248 on a pitch that looked like a belter at the first sight.
Axar Patel and Harbhajan Singh spun their web in Indore, taking three and two wickets respectively, as skipper Dhoni used them to perfection to take wickets and create pressure.
At one point South Africa looked like cruising with Faf du Plessis and JP Duminy, but Axar dismissed both set batsmen in a space two overs to bring India back into the contest.
It was a tailored-made situation for MS Dhoni to create pressure, and he did just that. The bowlers also responded to their skipper, as India clinched the match by 22 runs at the end.
Earlier, MS Dhoni played a magnificent innings, scoring an unbeaten 86-ball 92 to help India post a competitive total, which at one point looked highly unlikely.
When Dhoni arrived at the crease, India had lost Virat Kohli, and there was a requirement of a partnership, but the hosts lost wickets on regular intervals.
The India captain, meanwhile, took the responsibility over his shoulder and played a flowing innings, and finished off the Indian innings in his trademark style, hitting Kagiso Rabada’s last ball for a six.
His innings features four mammoth sixes and seven boundaries, and despite Dhoni’s valiant effort with the bat, a special effort was required from the bowlers, and they very responded to their skipper.
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