India vs England: Experts and fans slam MS Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav for not showing intent in the final overs
The highly-anticipated Wold Cup clash between India and England, on Sunday, proved to be a run-fest. With the surface at Edgbaston supporting stroke-making, the batsmen looked at relative ease after finding their feet at the crease.
Electing to bat first, the hosts put up a challenging 337 on the board in their 50 overs as Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes stood out with the bat. Coming out to chase, India were dealt an early blow as Chris Woakes accounted for KL Rahul on knot. England's new ball bowlers were in top form initially and restricted India to just 28 runs in the first 10 overs. As Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma laid the foundation, the innings began to find gradual pace to give some headaches to Eoin Morgan and his bowlers.
However, Just as India looked to put the foot down on the pedal, Liam Plunkett dismissed Virat Kohli to make the chase tough. After notching up yet another brilliant century in the tournament, Rohit Sharma too departed with plenty of work to be done. Young Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya showed some fight and kept India in the hunt with some clean striking.However, things soon went pear shaped for the subcontinent side after Pandya was dismissed in the 45th over.
With 71 required off the last 30 balls, the required run rate screamed past 14 as Kedar Jadhav joined MS Dhoni after Pandya's departure. Contrary to the expectations, the duo though couldn't hit boundaries to keep the game in the balance. Failing to get their timing right, Dhoni and Jadhav managed to just eek singles in the death overs; at a stage when the runs were required to be scored at the rate of knots.
Plodding along at the crease for the majority of the last 5 overs, the two Indian batsmen left the crowd and commentators completely baffled. While India ended up losing the game by 5 wickets, Dhoni and Jadhav's approach has caught ire of many cricket watchers. Several experts and fans have taken to social media and slammed the cricketers for their "lack of intent".
Here's how Twitter reacted to their gameplay:
Disappointing finish. A run-a-ball partnership can't win games. Was exciting till Pandya was in.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 30, 2019
If there was any team that had the ability to stop India's winning run. It was England. Dhoni's approach in the last few overs however was baffling. 🤔
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) June 30, 2019
"India Going down without fight" - Nasser Hussain
— Cricket Freak🙇🏼♂️ (@naveensurana06) June 30, 2019
"I dont have explaination for these singles" - Ganguly#INDvENG #Dhoni
Unbelievable batting by Dhoni.. didnt even try to win it...even Pandiya lost it in the end before he got out...commentators cant beleive it.. fans cant believe it...
— Shahzeb Khanzada (@shazbkhanzdaGEO) June 30, 2019
Hopefully Kedar Jadhav will be able to give us the lead by lunch tomorrow. #INDvENG
— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) June 30, 2019
Nasser Hussain on commentary about MS Dhoni's and Kedar Jadhav's batting - "I am completely baffled by this" #ENGvIND #CWC19
— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) June 30, 2019
Don't understand the logic behind keeping Kedar Jadhav in Team. Neither he is bowling nor batting. Disappointed.#INDvENG
— Gulshan Kolte (@KolteGulshan) June 30, 2019
Again, if Kedar Jadhav is in as a bat then we need to seriously rethink this option altogether
— atul kasbekar (@atulkasbekar) June 30, 2019
IPL form apart, he can't get it off the square
Since he's bowled only a few overs playing every game so far, clearly skipper doesn't rate him as a bowler
DK, Jad anyone?#BleedBlue
Never nice to see arguably the greatest finisher in the ODI game struggle to bat with intent in the last few overs, playing more on memory than form. I still think that MS Dhoni still has one great innings left in him, but we must hope it comes before this World Cup is over..
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) June 30, 2019
Dear Dhoni,
— IRONY MAN (@karanku100) June 30, 2019
Today as a fan I'm ashamed & shocked the way you batted in last overs. You didn't even try.
The time has come when you shd make a strong decision abt ur career. You are my idol and will remain forever.
THANK YOU
Signed,
Your die heart fan#indiavsEngland #INDvENG
If Ganguly was captain, don't think Dhoni and Kedar would have played the next match. He is seething
— Gappistan Radio (@GappistanRadio) June 30, 2019
Dhoni & Jadhav scored 39 runs off last 31 balls for the SIXTH wicket! That is beyond explanation! #INDvENG
— Satish Acharya (@satishacharya) June 30, 2019