Does the inclusion of MS Dhoni in India's ODI side give England a better chance of winning the World Cup?

SIMON HUGHES: His experience and knowledge is vital. But could his batting - especially in the pivotal position of No.5 - ultimately hold India back? It's a tricky one...

Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s enervating 55 not out in India’s win in Adelaide has inadvertently given England a better chance of winning the World Cup.

That may sound incongruous after Dhoni saw India to a series-levelling victory, but in some ways his innings caused more problems than it solved.

There has been talk for some time that his one-day batting was in decline, brought into sharp focus by a laborious fifty (96 balls) in the previous defeat in Sydney.

This was consistent with the last twelve months when his ODI strike rate has been only 67 (before today’s game). That is positively pedestrian compared with other leading middle order players/finishers like Glenn Maxwell (121), Jos Buttler (116), David Miller (101), and the emerging Marcus Stoinis (98).

^{MS Dhoni scored a vital 55 as India level their ODI series}

In Tuesday's match at the Adelaide Oval, Dhoni struggled to rotate the strike initially and had managed only 17 off 29 balls as the required run rate climbed to eight an over. It was arguable that he caused Virat Kohli’s dismissal because he was obliged to take extra risks and was caught on the midwicket fence.

Dhoni then did take responsibility.

He struck his first boundary (a six that just crept over the midwicket rope as opposed to the soaring double-deckers he used to produce) and, mainly with his whirring wrists and slick running, saw India home by six wickets with four balls to spare, though he twice appeared to suffer from cramp.

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Dhoni fans - of which there are tens of millions (just the 7.2m followers on Twitter) - would have been relieved. 

But here’s a fact - Dhoni averages 70 when India win. Kohli averages 83 in Indian victories. Both average only 35 in Indian defeats. India may be too reliant on them.

The others in the middle order don’t know how to get the team over the line. Someone else (eg Rishabh Pant) needs to gain vital experience in that finishing role as Dhoni’s powers are obviously not what they were. 

^{Rishabh Pant could be the successor to MS Dhoni}

He is a remarkable survivor. Despite having not played any cricket since November 1 (until last Saturday) he still looks supremely fit (I timed a two he ran as taking 6 seconds which equates to a speed of roughly 14mph) and kept wicket well (there was the unusual sight of him actually practising his keeping before the game).

But can he raise his batting tempo to keep up with the current crop of intimidators?

At 37 years of age, it is unlikely. India really need to try some other younger players in that role. 

He is essential to India for another reason: directing operations on the field in later stages of games as Kohli tends to field on the boundary.

His experience and knowledge is vital. But could his batting - especially in the pivotal position of No.5 - ultimately hold India back? It's a tricky one, as no one would dispute he is the greatest finisher the game has ever known (193 wins in 333 ODI appearances).

But England can take heart from the fact that India are no nearer to finding a successor.   

Just the 6 seconds for a 2 for @msdhoni - no loss of speed but has he still got the power? pic.twitter.com/4C97zXZZY0

— simon hughes (@theanalyst) January 15, 2019