FLASH | Wednesday, October 28, 2009 | Email | Print | 
Ozsome Dhoni
Sandeep Narayan | Nagpur
India on trot with 99-runs Nagpur leveller
There was a schizophrenic sense to Mahendra Singh Dhoni's blitzkrieg on Wednesday that illuminated the thousands at the VCA Stadium of the Indian skipper's evolution as a batsman and introduced them to a new dimension of bating as per the scripts demands.
In his 107-ball 124, which was the primary reason the home team, having been sent in to bat at Nagpur, was able to set Australia the imposing target of 355, India's highest-ever against he visitors, for victory.
Captaincy and responsibility had subdued Dhoni bludgeoning ways but the thought of another defeat elicited the Dhoni of yore as he regained his big-hitting mojo to help India square the series at Nagpur with a 99-run victory over the World Champions, the worst for them in three years, in front of a jam packed crowd of over 40,000. Dhoni had strong support in the middle order from Gautam Gambhir (76) and in the last 16 overs from Suresh Raina (62 from 50 balls).
Dhoni presented many shades of his batting prowess in an innings that eclipses all his previous hundreds. We first saw the resurgent Dhoni who pounced back after minutely escaping a head injury when his first ball he turned his head away from a viscous Ben Hilfenhaus bouncer. Then came the grafter, who carefully crafted his way through to his first 60 runs against a weakened, yet equally effective, Australian attack as he consolidated the innings. And finally we witnessed the forgotten Dhoni, the plunderer who once had forced his way into our hearts with his destructive and unorthodox batting, who tore the Aussie attack to shreds.
Greatness reveals itself in many ways. Dhoni batted with hawk eyed tenacity that only the best of his contemporaries could emulate. When wickets started tumbling at the other end Dhoni went out and saved the team from another embarrassing collapse the only way he knew how, with courage and untiring defiance.
His innings may have started with front foot nudges, simple guides and back foot flicks but it ended with his trademark slogs, chops and awkward digs that had been locked away somewhere for the past year. Peter Siddle bowled with wicked pace and accuracy, while Nathan Hauritz was tidy, but the rest were taken to the cleaners by Dhoni.
Initially, Ricky Ponting's decision to field was at first vindicated when Peter Siddle snared Sachin Tendulkar early followed by the fall of two well set batsmen, Virender Sehwag (40 of 31 balls) and Yuvraj Singh (23). But when the batting Powerplay was taken with India on 238 for 4 after 39 overs, and 47 runs came off those five overs, and the mayhem continuing unabated afterwards, Ponting's decision to bowl first in view of the dew factor didn't look too clever.
Yuvarj's dismissal may have slowed down the rate but a Dhoni straight-drive off Hauritz and two impressive shots from Gambhir through the covers broke the shackles, and with both men running brilliantly between wickets, the bowlers were never allowed to settle. Both took time for their half-centuries-Dhoni had taken 35 singles and only hit four boundaries in his 62 runs - and it took a moment of carelessness on Gambhir's part to end the partnership which was worth 119 from 113 balls.
The Dhoni-Raina partnership started slow with just 22 runs from his five overs but a slug from the moment Dhoni slugged Siddle though cover and Australia lost their balance. Hilfenhaus's return to the fray was also greeted with an astonishing flat six over mid-wicket that were followed by two forceful whacks over long-off that the hapless Watson took Dhoni to his century from just 94 balls, his first since the Asia Cup last year.
It could have been the enormity of the score or the inspiration from the captain's knock but India's bowlers found their groove. Praveen Kumar(2 for 37) too bowled a wonderful opening spell with Ishant Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja (3 for 35) also picking up wickets as Australia managed only 253.
Brief scores:
India for 7 wickets 354 (Mahendra Singh Dhoni 124, Gautam Gambhir 76, Extras: 23, Johnson 75-3) beat Australia (all out) 255 ( Michael Hussey 53, Adam Voges 36, Extras: 13, Jadeja 35-3)
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