He’s not been around Indian cricket for seven months now. But every time the Indian cricket team takes the field, MS Dhoni’s name is echoed in the stands. They sing his name, chant, miss him and carry posters on his name. And although his last game in an Indian jersey came on July 9, 2019, to the fans Dhoni is relevant even today. A master finisher, an avid reader of it and a legacy in taking games deep where the opponents faltered and he conquered, Dhoni scored 50 in his last Indian appearance albeit in a losing cause. Dhoni scored 50 off 72 deliveries that day, taking India from 5/71 (chasing 240) to 18 runs short of a World Cup final. And when in the India vs New Zealand 2nd ODI at Auckland, India found themselves in a similar situation, Dhoni’s name echoed in the stands. Tim Southee Makes Virat Kohli His Bunny, Gets Indian Skipper Out for Record Ninth Time.

Dhoni, post the 2019 World Cup semi-final heartbreak, had taken a two-month break from cricket for training with his military regiment but has since been silence on a comeback into international cricket. He wasn’t present at Auckland too where India was playing New Zealand to level the three-match ODI series.

Short of a Miracle

But his partner from the World Cup semi-final, Ravindra Jadeja, was there – first in the dressing room and then at the crease fighting to take India over the line. Jadeja scored 55 from 57 deliveries and was the last wicket to fall as India fell 22 runs short and squandered the series. At Manchester against the same opposition, Jadeja had made 77 off 59, India fell 18 runs short that day in the semis.

Dhoni the Superstar

Miss You Dhoni

Dhoni the Finisher

Best Then, Best Now

Fans chant Dhoni’s name at every limited-overs game India play. Sometimes because they miss him and other times to taunt ones supposed to replace him. When Rishabh/ KL Rahul Pant fluffs a catch or stumping, they chant ‘Dhoni’. When Virat Kohli makes a wrong DRS call as captain, fans chant ‘Dhoni.’ At Auckland as India searched for a finisher to take the game deep. A partner for Jadeja like that one in Manchester at the World Cup, fans chanted Dhoni. But it was not to be. India lost the match by 22 runs and are 0-2 behind in the ODI series.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 08, 2020 05:08 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).