Twitter draws Mithali Raj’s comparison with MS Dhoni after the former’s 63 at the Bay Oval

The last few days of 2018 saw Indian batswomen Mithali Raj get involved in a controversy with former coach Ramesh Powar. She wasn’t included in the eleven for the semi-final match against England in Antigua during the 2018 World T20 in the West Indies. However, the ongoing year has started on a happy note for the experienced 36-year-old batter from Jodhpur in Rajasthan.

She is currently in New Zealand where India Women are playing a three-match ODI series, which they are leading by 2-0. Raj didn’t have an opportunity to bat in the first match at McLean Park in Napier as the opening batswomen- Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues gunned down 192 with 33 overs to spare. Raj had loads of work to do in the second match at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.

Mithali plays a patient knock

Chasing 162, India lost a couple of early wickets in the form of Rodrigues and the left-handed Deepti Sharma. Raj joined Mandhana in the middle and embarked on the journey of steadying the ship for the visiting team in the run-chase. She didn’t play a single stroke out of anger in the first half of her inning. But she gradually stepped on the accelerator and didn’t allow the pressure to mount on Mandhana.

The experienced campaigner accomplished her half-century in a mere 102 balls and remained not out on 63 runs from 111 balls with four fours and a couple of sixes. She also deposited leg-spinner Amelia Kerr over the ropes to hit the winning runs. She shared an unbeaten stand of 151 with the left-handed Mandhana. Meanwhile, Twitter drew Mithali’s comparison with MS Dhoni.

Dhoni, the 37-year-old Indian batsman, is at the fag end of his career and he isn’t a force he used to be even a couple of years ago. In recent times, Dhoni takes his own time in the early part of his inning in order to get his eye in and subsequently end up playing a lot of dot deliveries. Mithali’s knock today was pretty similar to how MSD plays and Twitter didn’t take time in comparing them.

Here is how Twitter reacted

#NZvIND mithali with dhoniesque six to win match

— Spike (@SpikeLevi) January 29, 2019

Mithali finished off in style with a six ,I love Women Matches much then Men & Love to see Billy Bowden after lot of time. #NZvIND https://t.co/oD7bJgCeN2

— BalrajSinghKarakoti (@Ballugreat) January 29, 2019

#NZvIND mithali raj is slower than dhoni 🤣 she should retire and let youngsters play in all formats

— Maze (@Ainzoon) January 29, 2019

Mithali Raj is playing a MS Dhoni, whereas Smriti is Playing a Shikhar Dhawan #NZWvINDW

— Swapnil Shanbhag (@swapniltalks) January 29, 2019

Mithali Raj brings up 102 balls 50.
Dhoni's record is in safe hands #INDWvsNZW

— Pritam Purkait (@PritamPurkait7) January 29, 2019

Get the latest Cricket News and updates, Match Predictions, Fantasy Cricket Tips and lots more on CricTracker.com.