MS Dhoni is the best finisher in ODIs, asserts Ian Chappell

MS Dhoni is the best finisher in ODIs, asserts Ian Chappell

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After India’s recent ODI series win against Australia, Ian Chappell has praised MS Dhoni by saying that no one has a nerve like him when it comes to finishing matches and he is the best in ODIs. He also mentioned that Virat Kohli’s batting in one-day games reminds him of Vivian Richards.

With scores of 51, 55* and 87* against the Australian team in the recently-concluded series, MS Dhoni played a crucial role in India’s first-ever bilateral series win Down Under. He was also adjudged the Man of the Series for his contribution to the team’s success. 

Meanwhile, the keeper-batsman, who remained not out in the last two games while chasing successfully, has drawn praise from the former Aussie skipper Ian Chappell. 

"Nobody has Dhoni's nerve for finishing off victories. Many times I've thought, "He's left it too late this time", only to be amazed as he produced a couple of powerful shots to bring India a nail-biting victory," Chappell wrote in his column for ESPNCricinfo.

"His outward calm is no illusion since his tactical adeptness in these situations is proof his brain continues to work perfectly."

As always, the 37-year-old Dhoni was effective in his running between the wickets that was instrumental in both the second and third ODIs for India. Comparing the former India captain with Australia’s Michael Bevan, Chappell stated that Dhoni is superior to Bevan. 

"Where Bevan finished matches with fours, Dhoni does so with sixes. The one area - running between wickets - where you'd expect the fleet-footed Bevan to have an advantage is debatable, because even at age 37, Dhoni is among the quickest in the game," he wrote in the column.

"Even allowing for improved bats and the advantage of playing T20 cricket, statistically Dhoni is superior to Bevan. There can be no argument - Dhoni is the best ODI finisher."

Not only about Dhoni, but the Aussie legend also spoke about Virat Kohli’s exploits in ODIs stating that Kohli has always reminded him of Viv Richards. Kohli scored a brilliant century in the second ODI in Adelaide to take India to a victory. He got to his 39th ODI century during that game and with that has taken his international tally of centuries to 64. 

"Kohli reminds me of Richards in his approach to ODI batting; he eschews fancy shots and relies on a wide range of traditional strokes ... As the only one of this quartet still playing ODIs, Kohli already heads some important statistical categories," the former Australia captain wrote.

"If he were to continue at his current rate - an unlikely outcome as he ages - he would pass Tendulkar's aggregate with more than one hundred innings to spare and nearly 20 centuries in advance of the Little Master. If he even came close to achieving these amazing feats, there could be no argument: Kohli would be the Sir Donald Bradman of ODI batsmen."

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