India talking points as star performers in ODI series win give selectors headache

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  • India wrapped up a stellar tour of Australia with 2-1 ODI series win over the hosts on Friday.

    Yuzvendra Chahal dismantled the Aussies in the first innings, taking six wickets as they were bowled out for 230 before MS Dhoni’s knock of 87 guided India to a seven wicket win in the decider.

    Here, we look at three talking points from the series.

    FAR FROM FINISHED

    MS Dhoni was once immune from the axe but eight years after reaching the pinnacle of his career by stylishly leading India to World Cup glory in 2011, the veteran wicketkeeper is having to fight for a spot in this summer’s edition.

    The 37-year-old has come under plenty of criticism over the last year for his lack of form and slow rate of scoring with those concerns heightened when he crawled to 51 off 96 balls during India’s 34-run defeat at the SCG. His caution was understandable with India reeling at 4-3 when he arrived at the crease but following Rishabh Pant’s excellent form in the Test series, calls for Dhoni to be replaced were made more vociferous after that innings.

    However, the former India skipper is second to none where mental fortitude is concerned and his response in the following two games was emphatic.

    A 55 off 54 balls in Adelaide helped get India over the finish line after Virat Kohli’s century put them on track while he top-scored with 87 off 114 on a slower surface in Melbourne to wrap up a series win.

    Is there any truth in the notion that he’s in decline? Of course he’s not as quick between the wickets as he used to be and may not be as explosive a batsman either but he’s mastered the art of pacing his innings and his batting has benefited from a wealth of experience.

    Consider this from cricket statistician Mazher Arshad – At the end of 2009, Dhoni averaged 50.82 and that figure has almost perfectly been maintained today, reading 50.81 instead.

    AUSSIES DROP THE BALL

    India were the better side over the course of the series but Australia will be disappointed in their own efforts. The hosts particularly let themselves down in the decider, along with several catches.

    Kohli was dropped on 10 at first slip by Peter Handscomb off Billy Stanlake’s bowling. Worse than that though was Glenn Maxwell dropping Dhoni at point after he swatted at a short ball from Marcus Stoinis. Those crucial moments could easily have derailed the tourists’ innings and handed Australia the series instead.

    A constant concern throughout the series though has been the opening pair. With David Warner’s suspension, Australia have experimented with Alex Carey instead of Darcy Short or Chris Lynn. It hasn’t paid off.

    Carey failed to capitalise on the opportunity, notching a high-score of just 24 across his three innings. Meanwhile, Aaron Finch’s poor form has only compounded problems for the Aussies with the World Cup just five months away.

    Australia let the series get away from them.

    Australia let the series get away from them.

    BOWLING SELECTORS OVER

    Competition for places in India’s bowling attack has never been this fierce and there were a couple of outstanding performers who have certainly furthered their cases for inclusion in this year’s World Cup squad.

    With the likes of Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah and Ishant Sharma making up an effective pace attack over the last year, Bhuvneshwar Kumar had been left their shadow but deservedly stepped into the spotlight over the ODI series.

    He’s been the pick of the bowlers, picking up eight wickets in total, more than anyone else in the series while his duel with Finch – he dismissed the Aussie skipper in each of the three ODIs – confirms his reputation as clever speedster.

    Chahal was only drafted into the XI for the decider and proved to be the match-winner with figures of 6-42. On a slow track, the leg-spinner made the most of the conditions by generating plenty of turn and using some impressive variations.

    India have a plethora of options in the spin department but Chahal may have forced himself up the pecking order with this display.

    Bhuvneshwar Kumar (C) shone during the ODI series.

    Bhuvneshwar Kumar (C) shone during the ODI series.

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