Mahendra 'the finisher' Dhoni hits purple patch before knockouts

When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Nobody amplifies this quote better than Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Updated on: Mar 15, 2015, 09:46:57 IST

Hindustan Times | By Abhimanyu Kulkarni, New Delhi

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When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Nobody amplifies this quote better than Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Time and time again he's saved India the blushes. And his average of 105+ in successful chases shows how good he is in pressure situations. Though he hasn't been in the best of forms in the last couple of months, but world cricket's Captain Cool stepped in once again on Friday against Zimbabwe when his team needed him.

As India's batting faltered in the final group encounter at Auckland on Saturday, the team staring down the barrel at 92 for 4, in walked Dhoni. Zimbabwe had set an imposing target of 288 and a lot of work was yet to be done. But Dhoni went about in a clinical manner and joined hands with Suresh Raina to demolish Zimbabwe.

"Even when Virat (Kohli) went in to bat (today), we felt a bit of pressure. Zimbabwe are a good side, but we were expected to win. The wicket was slow and the ball wasn't coming on nicely and we didn't have enough pace to work with," said Dhoni during the post-match press conference.

While the Indian top-order wilted under pressure, Dhoni knew exactly what needed to be done and finished off the match with a trademark six.

Social media went berserk as Raina and Dhoni hammered the Zimbabwean bowlers to all parts of the ground, hitting fours and sixes at will. The pressure was now back on the Zimbabwean fielders who dropped Raina on two occasions.

Suresh Raina, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin: One could confuse it for the CSK (Chennai Super Kings) batting lineup. Twitterati responded likewise and made comparisons as to how it was CSK facing Zimbabwe and not Team India.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Abhimanyu Kulkarni
Abhimanyu Kulkarni has spent over a decade in newsrooms and currently heads the online news desk. He orchestrates the daily narrative of the digital newsroom, managing the homepage, planning long-term news events and writing about India and the World. Abhimanyu excels in high-pressure environments, thriving particularly when navigating the complexities of major breaking news cycles. His strategic approach to digital journalism combines a meticulous eye for detail with a broad vision for organizational growth. Beyond managing the immediate news flow, he is the primary architect for the outlet’s long-term editorial initiatives, ensuring that every project meets the highest standards of journalistic integrity and audience engagement. Expertise & Beat National Affairs: Comprehensive coverage of Indian politics, policy shifts, and election cycles. Geopolitics & World News: Analysis of international relations and global conflict. Beyond the Newsroom Abhimanyu’s professional drive is mirrored by his passion for the pulse of the world; where others see the chaos of a breaking story, he finds a compelling narrative. This innate curiosity about global structures ensures he brings a grounded, human perspective to every headline he manages.Read More

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