India missed the services of MS Dhoni in the fourth ODI against New Zealand at Hamilton when the visitor’s batting line-up imploded under swing-friendly conditions.
However, Dhoni was back for the fifth and final ODI at Wellington and was lightning fast as usual behind the stumps. He also assisted stand-in skipper Rohit Sharma in setting the field positions and guiding the spinners.
In the 37th over of New Zealand’s innings, Dhoni’s smartness came to the fore when he ran out James Neesham during their 253-run chase.
Neesham missed a flighted delivery bowled by Kedar Jadhav and it hit him on the back pad. Indian players appealed in unison but umpire said not-out as the impact was outside off. The ball was deflected behind the stumps and the Kiwi all-rounder came out of his crease having no idea where the ball was.
Dhoni was quick to react to the situation; he immediately picked up the ball and hit the stumps directly. Umpire then referred it to the third umpire and replay showed that Neesham was well short to make his ground.
The brilliance of Dhoni also left the Twitterati in awe.
Neesham forgot about Dhoni the wicket-keeper in his tribute yesterday.
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) February 3, 2019
Never leave your crease with MS Dhoni behind the stumps! https://t.co/RoUp4iMpX6
— ICC (@ICC) February 3, 2019
WARNING: Don't try this act at home, it's only performed by professionals @msdhoni #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/8o02zXIJPf
— Sarah Taylor (@SarahTheCricket) February 4, 2019
Clever Run out by Dhoni .
Maybe a match changing moment as Neesham was looking dangerous #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/vhffYA9Q5I— A N K I T (@Ankitaker2) February 3, 2019
https://twitter.com/DHONIism/status/1091991124137279488
What a presence of mind by Dhoni to get rid of Neesham 👍 #NZvIND
— Lord Voldemort (@Smart_Ladka) February 3, 2019
Dhoni the magician 😲…. Neesham this time#INDvNZ #IndvsNz
— Srinidhi Acharya (@srinidhiacharya) February 3, 2019
https://twitter.com/baniya_boy18/status/1092106328510730240
https://twitter.com/sportsbloggerc7/status/1091985215960969216
Dhoni runs out Jimmy Neesham and somehow manages to steal credit yet again! 😂😂 #INDvsNZ
— Harry NaMo (@thatthinguy24) February 3, 2019
MS DHONI is the saviour. Got James Neesham run out. 😎 Simply superb.👌#NZvIND #INDvNZ #TeamIndia #MsDhoni 🇮🇳
— Feroz Hussain (@ferozhussain_) February 3, 2019
