India vs Bangladesh: MS Dhoni did what was right for the team, says Sachin Tendulkar

MS Dhoni has taken a lot of flak for his poor strike rate in this World Cup (AP Photo)

MS Dhoni was slammed by fans on social media yet again for his tepid innings against Bangladesh in Birmingham on Tuesday but Sachin Tendulkar said the 33-ball 35 was an important innings for India.

India defended 314 against a spirited Bangladesh and became the 2nd team after Australia to reach the semi-finals of World Cup 2019. Dhoni has taken a lot of flak for his poor stike rate in this World Cup.

MS Dhoni was booed against Afghanistan and against England, Nasser Hussain and Sourav Ganguly said they were baffled with his go-slow approach in a steep chase.

In fact, after the game against Afghanistan, Tendulkar had said he was disappointed with MS Dhoni’s strike rate: “I felt slightly disappointed, it could have been much better. I was also not happy with the partnership between Kedar and Dhoni, it was very slow. We batted 34 overs of spin bowling and scored 119 runs. This was one area where we didn’t look comfortable at all. There was no positive intent.”

On Tuesday after India defeated Bangladesh to qualify for the semi-finals, Tendulkar said MS Dhoni always thought of the team first.

“I felt it was an important innings and he (MS Dhoni) did exactly what was right for the team. If he stays till the 50th over, he can help other guys around him. He is expected to do that and he did that.

“For him, it is more about the team. Whatever is the need of the hour, one needs to do that and on Tuesday, he did that perfectly,” Tendulkar said.

Soon after India finished with 314 for 9 off 50 overs, fans on social media trolled MS Dhoni. He did not hit a single six in his innings and hit 4 boundaries. On Sunday, Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav slowed down when the target of 337 was still probable albeit difficult.

After India’s victory over West Indies, Virat Kohli had defended MS Dhoni and said he knew exactly what he was doing out in the middle.