Virat Kohli Impressive But India Missed Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s Finishing Touch: Gavaskar

[Austin 3:!6]

India lost the first Test against Australia despite a brave fight. Sunil Gavaskar feels Mahendra Singh Dhoni's finishing abilities could have ensured a different result. Former captain Sunil Gavaskar says India missed Mahendra Singh Dhoni's experience while chasing an improbable target of 364 set by Australia at the Adelaide Oval. Virat Kohli's career-best knock of 141 and Murali Vijay's 99 went in vain as India lost the match by 48 runs to go 1-0 down in the four-match series. (How India lost the 1st Test) "Wriddhiman Saha is inexperienced so can't really blame him. Having (MS) Dhoni in a situation like this would have helped India because he keeps the scoreboard ticking. He and Kohli would have looked for the big shots as well. But in cricket, there's no place for ifs and buts," Gavaskar told NDTV in an exclusive chat. (Proud of my team, have no regrets: Virat Kohli) India recovered from the loss of two early wickets to reach 205 for two at tea at Adelaide Oval. That left the tourists needing a further 159 runs from the final session with eight wickets in hand and their two key batsmen still at the crease. Kohli and Vijay added 185 runs for the third wicket but the latter's wicket resulted in a collapse for the visitors. Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma and Wriddhiman Saha fell without any substantial contribution. India were eventually bowled out for 315 thanks to Nathan Lyon's seven for 152. Kohli's majestic innings came to an end in the 82nd over with a marvelous catch by Mitchell Marsh on the boundary rope. This brought an end to India's last hope. Gavaskar was all praise for the Delhi batsman but said shot selection can often script the end of a gritty knock. "We should praise Virat Kohli for his magnificent knock. I am impressed by the positivity he showed not just in the fourth innings but throughout the match. He got out after scoring 141, so would be wrong to fault him. Shot selection may go wrong at times," Gavaskar added. While praising the batsmen, Gavaskar lashed out at India's beleaguered bowling attack. "Positives are Kohli, Vijay, Rahane, Puajara's batting but bowling needs to step up," he said. The absence of Michael Clarke - ruled out of the series due to injury, may come as a respite for India bowlers but Gavaskar said India has lost the advantage. "Despite the fact that Clarke will not be around, Australia still have a lot of batting. So, I don't think it would have too much od an impact. It would have had an impact if India would have saved this Test," Gavaskar said. (I may never play again, says Michael Clarke) The former India opener also hinted that India will find it difficult to win the Test series. Source: http://sports.ndtv.com/australia-vs-india-2014-15/news/234518-virat-kohli-impressive-but-india-missed-mahendra-singh-dhoni-s-finishing-touch-gavaskar

[kosingh]

He's right. I'm not a Dhoni fan, but he never leaves to teammates a job he can do himself. I'm sure Kohli will learn this soon enough.

[Lord]

Yeah right

[fineleg]

MSD finishes Tests in 3-4 days (for the oppostion) ROFL!

[Raghav_12]

Gavaskar is approaching old age faster than what he thinks. He seems to be confusing IPL with test matches.

[Crookbond]

The title and the text of the article has no relation at all. Also, I don't know what is this new vogue about not posting a link or not quoting text which isn't your own.

[Austin 3:!6]

^ Source added in OP

[ThePhenomenal1]

Here's thing thing, he doesn't take shots at his beloved rohit sharma who has a big deal in costing the match. He didnt help reduce the deficit on day 4 and did squat on day 5.

[Vilander]

Yeah it was Saha's fault, f'n mumbai looser this guy is, there is an other top order batsman who did not do anything in the match.

[KFC_Zinger]

Dhoni instead of Saha would have helped.... he plays spin better but he would have been the captain and as such the whole scene would have been different

[Marut]

Gavaskar doesn't know to differentiate between test and LOIs? Dhoni would have done zilch at Adelaide.

[Sidhoni]

It is obvious Dhoni coming in at that stage instead of Saha would have helped.

[putrevus]

what did dhobi do in NZ when India was in similar position chasing huge target, and He was letting tailender take majority of strike and had shown no ability to finish there. That said Dhobi is 100s times better than headless Saha .This guy was defending in first innings when he needed to attack with only tailenders with him. With Kohli at one end all he needed was give him support but he batted like a moron.So this should end Saha international career.

[BlueBee]

It is obvious Dhoni coming in at that stage instead of Saha would have helped.

That stage would never had come

[Austin 3:!6]

what did dhobi do in NZ when India was in similar position chasing huge target, and He was letting tailender take majority of strike and had shown no ability to finish there. That said Dhobi is 100s times better than headless Saha .This guy was defending in first innings when he needed to attack with only tailenders with him. With Kohli at one end all he needed was give him support but he batted like a moron.So this should end Saha international career.

Nah don't think so. He is the best man with gloves in the country at present and surely will get more chance. His batting ofcourse cannot be compared with Dhoni who is one of the greatest ODI bat ever but in his own rights Saha is a decent batsman.

[BlueBee]

what did dhobi do in NZ when India was in similar position chasing huge target, and He was letting tailender take majority of strike and had shown no ability to finish there. That said Dhobi is 100s times better than headless Saha .This guy was defending in first innings when he needed to attack with only tailenders with him. With Kohli at one end all he needed was give him support but he batted like a moron.So this should end Saha international career.

Such a retarded thing to say that man. He was playing only his 3rd test that too after a interval of about 2 years or so. We should cut him some slack, he was great with the gloves (Ignore the stumping error). He is our best bet after Dhoni retires.

[putrevus]

Such a retarded thing to say that man. He was playing only his 3rd test that too after a interval of about 2 years or so. We should cut him some slack' date=' he was great with the gloves (Ignore the stumping error). He is our best bet after Dhoni retires.[/quote'] he is not young and dhobi is not going anywhere unless Dhobi suffers a major injury where will Saha get his chances. So wouldn't it be better to groom a youngster who can take over once Dhobi is done. It does not matter he is playing tests after 2 years, he played like person who simply had no clue how to handle situation in both innings.

[Gollum]

I would have Dhobi as a WK, not as captain. He has grit and is definitely better than Saha and Ojha.

[mancalledsting]

I'm guessing everyone has forgotten Dhoni's previous test batting exploits in Australia? Total no hoper of there ever was one.

[putrevus]

The only thing I have against Dhobi is his captaincy but he might be the best WK in the country even with all his deficiencies with bat overseas. Dhobi might get out because he is not good enough but he wont be overwhelmed by situation Saha appeared to be overawed. That said biggest culprit in the match was not Saha, it was nohit he batted worse than no11.