Can Dinesh Karthik Replace Dhoni As A Finisher?

Even during his partnership with Karthik, it was DK, who hit two crucial boundaries and also a scoop shot for three runs that prevented the run-rate...

- Harshit Anand

Once upon a time, there was no better finisher in the world of cricket than India’s Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Irrespective of the opposition, match situation, pitch, Dhoni would lead India past the victory most of the times. His cool and calm demeanor and chasing method were unreal. Dhoni’s confidence and temperament were second to none. The Ranchi-born cricketer got synonymous with the word “finisher.”

But time and tide spare none. And with time, Dhoni also started declining. At first, he needed time before he could unleash his demolishing array of strokes, which doesn’t bode well for a middle-lower order batsman who comes to crease late in the innings. But slowly and steadily, he has even lost the magical touch that once allowed him to hit big shots at will.

MS Dhoni did a reasonably good job in the Adelaide ODI against Australia. But Kohli’s knock had ensured the run-rate wasn’t as daunting. But while he was at the crease. Dhoni was finding it difficult to rotate the strike at run-a-ball.