Dhoni was named as the Man of the Series
Former Australia captain Allan Border showered praise on MS Dhoni for his performances in the recently concluded three-match ODI series which India clinched 2-1, winning their first ever ODI series in Australia. The former captain was adjudged as the 'Man of the Series' as he scored three successive fifties in the series.
Border feels that Dhoni is back with a 'vengeance', leading India to the finish line once again.
"I thought the one-day series was quite close. Evenly balanced... most of the games. Old MS Dhoni is back with a vengeance. Isn't he? He played very well in all the games, particularly the last couple where he got India over the line again," Border told ANI.
Dhoni was slammed and criticised for his slow 51 off 96 balls in the first ODI in Sydney, however, he immediately picked up pace and delivered, leading India to victory in the other two ODIs in Adelaide and Melbourne.
Border also congratulated India in winning the ODI and Test series against Australia and feels that the Virat Kohli led Team India have been the better side.
"Congratulations to India on series victory. They have deserved those series victories. No doubt they have been the better side. We had our issues over the last 12 months with few of the better players not being available but still India played tremendously well," he said.
Border also lauded Kohli's captaincy skills and Cheteshwar Pujara's batting performances in the Test series, which India won in Australia for the very first time.
"We expect them to do well in Twenty20 because of the IPL factor. They are a very good T20 side, they are the No.1 Test side in the world. So, it was not unexpected to see India play so well, particularly, what's interesting is they won with fast bowling as against the traditional way for them winning through spinners. That was an interesting change the way things normally turn out between Australia and India. 'We beat you with our fast bowlers in Australia and you beat us with your spinners in India'. Real change there. Virat Kohli was really fantastic with his leadership and rest of the Indian team played so well. Hats off to Pujara. What a series he had in the Tests."
The Men in Blue will now focus on the upcoming five-match ODI series against New Zealand which begins January 23.
