MS Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav starred for India as the Men in Blue got back to winning ways in the first ODI at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Saturday.
Chasing 237 to win, India reached the target in 48.2 overs with 6 wickets in hand, riding on a 141-run unbeaten stand between Jadhav (81 off 87 balls) and Dhoni (59 off 72 balls), to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
After losing the two-match T20I series, it was imperative that Virat Kohli & Co. get a favourable result in the first ODI.
“I would have tried to play more shots early had Dhoni Bhai not been there. That’s what he does, he tells you exactly. He reads your mind; plenty of times when you feel this ball can be hit for boundaries, he’ll tell you ‘I can see that but the team needs more solidity and you have to bat till the end’. Every time you think of the team, most of the times, you’ll cross the line and end up on the winning side,” ‘Man of the match’ Jadhav said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Kedar—what an asset. Bowls crucial overs. Picks big wickets. Finishes games off in style. Really happy to see his constant evolution ☺️👏👏🇮🇳 #IndvAus
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 2, 2019
Dhoni hai toh mumkin hai…..fourth consecutive 50s against Australia. Timed the run-chase to perfection. His kind of total…. #IndvAus
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 2, 2019
@msdhoni may have played second fiddle to Jadhav, but he’s shown yet again that when it comes to shepherding the side out of difficult situations, he’a still the bossman. Great win! #IndiaOnTop
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 2, 2019
Kedar has finished it in style. Is going to play a very crucial role in the World Cup. Good win this for India on a wicket which was not very easy to bat.
And always great to see Dhoni with his calmness being there at the end. #IndvAus— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) March 2, 2019
🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳 https://t.co/JOfDt5dMu3
— Wriddhiman Saha (@Wriddhipops) March 2, 2019
India India 🇮🇳 ❤️
— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) March 2, 2019
dhoni and federer were born within a month of each other in 1981…here they are, 37 years old, still getting it done…
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) March 2, 2019
This is a very satisfying win for India because it was achieved without a defining performance from.the top order.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 2, 2019
INDIAAAA INDIAAA🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Jadhav 💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼and Dhoni 💪🏼💪🏼..Whatta stand and the winning shot by dhoni..😝😝..Perfecto..— vennela kishore (@vennelakishore) March 2, 2019
He has his own way of dealing with such situations but Dhoni’s 2019 form is such a pleasant surprise. Well played India, well played MSD and Kedar #IndVsAus
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) March 2, 2019
No betther finish in cricket than MS Dhoni hitting the winning shot for India with his trademark big flourish that sends the ball soaring. #INDvAUS
— Moulin (@Moulinparikh) March 2, 2019
Dhoni is the Chacha Chaudhary for India now. Needs a Sabu but has the brain to do the stuff needed. 4th fifty vs Aus in a row. Keep performing. Doesn't need a fine finish to career but deserves one?
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) March 2, 2019
Kedar Jadhav at times reminds me of Sachin. Not by batting stance or style but while running between the wickets. Good old days where the stadium echoed "Sachin Sachin".
Nice to see Kedar finish a game with MSD, again.#INDvsAUS— Ketan Pratap (@pratapketan) March 2, 2019
This is the fourth consecutive fifty-plus score for MS Dhoni while chasing in ODIs in 2019. All have come against Australia.#INDvAUS
— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) March 2, 2019
When Kedar Jadhav bowls four or more overs in an ODI match…
India won 18, Tie 1, Lost 2#IndvAus— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) March 2, 2019
Upping the game at the right place, right time! Not to forget his super stint with the ball picking 1 for 31 in 7 overs! #WhistlePodu #INDvAUS @JadhavKedar 🦁💛 pic.twitter.com/sV7rK5CC26
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) March 2, 2019
Kedar: If Dhoni wasn't there at the other end, I may have played a lot more shots early. He reads your mind, tells you exactly what to do. If you tell this ball could be hit for four, he'll tell you, I can see that, but team needs more solidity, need to bat till the end #INDvAUS
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) March 2, 2019
