Vijay Hazare Trophy: Dhoni’s Jharkhand is on the verge of an exit from group stage

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Jharkhand skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni in action on Friday. Image Source: XtraTime

Internet Desk: There was no fire works from MS Dhoni as Jharkhand failed to beat Hyderabad despite of a great century from Saurabh Tiwary on Friday. Dhoni’s Jharkhand lost by 21 runs and is on the verge of elimination in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Anticipating a Dhoni-dhamaka, more than 500 students of Jadavpur University bunked classes and came to the ground located inside the second campus in Saltlake.

But the most successful Indian captain struggled in his 47-ball 28 (4×3) before being bowled by left-arm spinner Mehdi Hasan in their modest 204-run chase.

Cruising to his second century in three matches, and fourth overall in List A, Saurabh slammed 102 from 104 balls studded with seven sixes and five fours as Jharkhand needed 31 runs from 70 balls.

But Jharkhand even failed to show the quality of their ‘captain cool’ Dhoni as the burly left-hander Saurabh played an irresponsible lofted shot to be holed out to Chama Milind at third man in the 39th over.

Jharkhand lost six wickets for 44 runs in a stunning collapse to fold their innings for 182 in 44.4 overs.

Chasing 204, Dhoni took 20 balls to score his first boundary and his 47-ball struggle at the crease ended for 28 when he was cleaned up by leftarm spinner Mehdi Hasan (3/40) as Jharkhand were bundled out for 182 in 44.4 overs

Blaming the Jadavpur University second campus wicket that stayed low, Jharkhand coach said: “He could not have done much. There was little time to react. It was a good length ball that stayed low and skidded on to stumps. It was his bad luck.”

Dhoni however contributed with his captaincy as he managed to keep Hyderabad to a modest 203/8 in what looked like a 250-plus total, the coach pointed out.

“His leadership quality is an inspiration to all of us. With his smart thinking, he’s able to restrict a team for 276/9 when they’re eyeing a total of 300-plus (against Services in Kalyani). Here we could restrict them for for 200-odd. There’s an overall improvement but wicket has been difficult, we have not been successful to adapt quickly.”

“He has seen situations like no one else here. Nobody knows to finish a game better than him. His presence is a big boost for the side. In Kalyani we lost three but Jaggi and Saurabh finished the game. It’s a big learning experience for all of us,” Rajiv said.

Jointly on 16 points after four matches each, Karnataka and Hyderabad have an edge over Jharkhand (12) to make the quarters from group D as the Dhoni-led side will have to post a big win against Jammu and Kashmir in Kalyani March 6 to keep their hopes alive.

Dhoni has given a peptalk after the loss and the coach hoped that they would bounce back to make the last-eight.

“He had a good chat with the team. He told us what are the areas of weakness we need to work as a team.”

Saurabh looked devastating in his 102 from 104 balls as they needed 31 from 70 balls when Hyderabad triggered the collapse and the coach said the lefthander developed cramps and got out.

“It’s not fair to say he threw his wicket. Had he been successful in chasing we would have said he played an exraordinary innings. But only he could feel how his body was feeling. He developed cramps. He wanted to close the game so there were a lot of things going in his mind.”

With inputs from PTI.