MS Dhoni in Sydney: Fans cannot get enough of Indian superstar ahead of SCG ODI
India vs Australia: MS Dhoni signed a few autographs for the fans who had gathered to watch Team India train ahead of the first ODI at the SCG.
In Short
- MS Dhoni signed a few autographs at the Sydney Cricket Ground ahead of the 1st ODI
- MS Dhoni has scored 1355 runs and 2 hundreds in 48 ODIs against Australia
- Dhoni has only 13 ODIs left to prove his doubters wrong before the ICC World Cup
MS Dhoni is back in Australia, probably for one last time, for a one day international series starting on Saturday at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). India and Australia play a three-match ODI series before Virat Kohli's me fly to New Zealand for a limited-overs series later this month.
MS Dhoni's form in 2018 had been a cause of concern for the team management given he remains an important part of the Indian team setup for the ICC World Cup in England and Wales later this year. MS Dhoni has only a handful of ODIs, 13 to be precise, a few T20s and the Indian Premier League left to prove his doubters wrong before India decide on their core group for the 2019 ICC World Cup.
After the training session at the SCG on Friday, Dhoni did not disappoint his fans as he signed a few autographs for his fans as India sweat it out at the historic ground.
"MSD fever at the SCG post practice. Humble as always, @msdhoni signed a few autographs for the fans who had gathered to watch #TeamIndia train before the 1st ODI #AUSvIND," BCCI tweeted.
MSD fever at the SCG post practice. Humble as always, @msdhoni signed a few autographs for the fans who had gathered to watch #TeamIndia train before the 1st ODI #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/AoBsBf2WyF BCCI (@BCCI) January 11, 2019
After a historic Test series victory in Australia, a confident Indian team's preparations are in full swing.
Soon after landing in Australia earlier this week, Dhoni did not waste time and got down to work as he practised batting in the nets even in the optional training session along with Shikhar Dhawan, Kedar Jadhav and Ambati Rayudu.
Dhoni remains one of the more likable characters in the Indian team and will look to regain his form as quickly as possible.
Reacently, former India skipper Mohammad Azharuddin said he expected Dhoni to play a crucial role in the World Cup with his experience and skills.
"I like Dhoni a lot. I feel Dhoni will emerge as India's No. 1 player in the 2019 World Cup because he has so much experience and we have seen how he marshals the troops from behind the stumps," Azhar said at India Today Mind Rocks.
Australia cricket stars Tim Paine, Usman Khawaja and Tim Pained lauded Dhoni after the former India captain landed Down Under.
Dhoni first played an ODI in Australia back in 2008 and has scored 860 runs off 32 matches in the country since. Dhoni has played 48 ODIs against Australia and has scored 1355 runs including two hundreds.
MS Dhoni, on his very first tour of Australia 11 years ago, had led India to victory in the CB Series. After qualifying for the finals of the tri-series, India defeated Australia 2-0.
After Sydney, India travel to Adelaide for the second ODI on January 15 while the third ODI will be played in Melbourne on January 18.