Ending on the second last ball of the game, India’s match against Afghanistan was thrilling to say the least, and we all know it.
Also, we know that India’s batting performance was sub-par that day. Now, while the conversation around it died eventually because we won the match, MS Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav did get a lot of criticism after India’s innings.
Dhoni, especially, because of expectations attached with his name. The criticism didn’t just come from the viewers, though – it also came from the legend of the game Sachin Tendulkar.
Speaking about the clash, Sachin told India Today:
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.
While further adding:
There were more than 2-3 dot balls. After Virat got out in the 38th over and till the 45th over we hadn’t scored many runs. There were not enough outings for the middle order batsmen till now and that put pressure on them. But the intent could have been much better by the middle order batsmen.
This comment from the Master Blaster divided Twitter, with people starting an intense stats-fight among themselves.
The same man that won you the World Cup which you couldn’t win in your whole career with one of the best Indian players around. Sachin acting like he was some big hitter, man used to struggle in his 90s. Someone should pull up his strike rate when he’s been in the 90s🤦🏽♂️ #Dhoni🐐 pic.twitter.com/hCVQ5aBI9h
— Nim (@Nirmal_A) June 24, 2019
Sachin only played for personal records. Unlike Dhoni who played for country and still does
— Gerard D’souza (@GerardDsouza1) June 25, 2019
@sachin_rt don’t forget u were at his place once @msdhoni is currently at. Forgot ur 2012 year? U scored ur 100th 100 w S/R of mere 77 and ironically we lost that match against Bangladesh. There were many slow innings that u played on slow pitches.
— Dipesh Indian (@ariesdips) June 25, 2019
Sachin Runs in 2003 and 2011 Worldcup finals combined : 22 Runs
— . (@_cleanbowled) June 24, 2019
Dhoni's Runs in one Worldcup final:91 Runs
🏃 🏃 🏃🏃🏃🏃🏃🏃🏃
Sachin (about Dhoni): He did not show any positive intent against Afghanistan
— Keh Ke Peheno (@coolfunnytshirt) June 24, 2019
Dhoni: Are you talking about the positive intent which you used to show in your 90s..
@sachin_rt if ut wasnt for Dhoni’s intent in this match we would have lost miserably. If it wasnt for your contract retaining intent we would have won this match. Dont be little Little Master. #ShutupSachin pic.twitter.com/gjaXijqRVh
— Nirmal (@NirmalVicknesh) June 24, 2019
Dhoni playing for his team and that Sachin only playing for his career #Sachin
— Yogesh (@Yogesh06364044) June 25, 2019
Pic 1 : Sachin about missing his 200
— #theCSKguy (@whistIepodu) June 24, 2019
Pic 2 : Dhoni about missing his 100
One said disappointed and upset for missing his miletone.
The other said it’s doesn’t matter for him whether he get 100 or not. pic.twitter.com/79Rnd816g3
Out of 450+ match MS Dhoni fans r able to found only one where @sachin_rt scored with the low strike rate i.e 75.55!! It’s enough to describe Sachin’s intention towards his country.
— Sachin Tendulkar FC (@SachinsLovers) June 25, 2019
Note: Strike rate of Sachin & Virat Kohli are approximately same here. 🇮🇳 lost becoz of bowling. pic.twitter.com/jqJUtvFadN
To be honest Sachin’s statement about #Dhoni‘s innings is fairly true. He has really struggled against spin bowling and is not even able to rotate strike. He’s still an integral part of the team but he has to work on his batting approach.
— B̷H̷A̷R̷A̷T̷🇮🇳 (@Being_Real__) June 24, 2019
These Dhoni fans bringing random Sachin’s slow knocks.
— Akki (@CrickPotato1) June 24, 2019
What do you have to say about this all time legendary innings by dear Thala? pic.twitter.com/vbYDkKqImf
Sachin 2003 WC runs
— Harish godha (@Down_the_track) June 24, 2019
673 runs
Ms Dhoni 2007, 2011, 2015, till afg match
597 runs pic.twitter.com/nttjZiOlpS
Some facts
— jokerr (@jokerr52075979) June 25, 2019
Dhoni has never scored century in WC
Sachin scored 6 which is record…
Dhoni never won MOS in any WC
Sachin won in 2003
& Yeah Yuvraj was man of the tournament In 2011 not Dhoni…
Note – I like dhoni
Just saying Sachin is right on his views. He is an expert and the greatest of all time. He can analyse things and present. And I agree with Sachin on his views about Dhoni’s batting ‘last match VS Afg’. He was very slow in rotating the strikes that definitely affected team.
— Sagun Rungta (@imSRungta) June 25, 2019
There were also some people who said that Sachin and Dhoni are both legends, and the fight between who is better among the two doesn’t make sense.
Dhoni: Let me know when sachin come to bat..
— Gaurav (@_iamgrv) June 25, 2019
Sachin: Dhoni is the best captain I’ve played under..
Dhoni: Sachin was like God to all of us while growing up..
Sachin: Dhoni reminds me of my father..
Their fans* pic.twitter.com/BZrwY4NmCw
Bandh karo yaar ye sachin vs dhoni
— 🌸Snehu🇮🇳 (@dazzling_Snehal) June 25, 2019
Both are legends…And both played for#TeamIndia .
I m dhoni fan and I have huge respect for #SachinTendulkar .
So stop negativity…We are one team
One country…#TeamIndia .#BleedBlue #MSDhoni pic.twitter.com/WkkEqBTIOJ
#Sachin *was* God for some and #Dhoni *is* God for some.
— 🅿ramod (@PramodSpeaks) June 25, 2019
Both are legends and we are lucky to enjoy best of their innings!!
Now stop fighting!! pic.twitter.com/nKyXsPsTJ5
Comparison between #Dhoni and #Sachin is not relevant and have no significance. They both are great at their time. Sachin has his own class and so as dhoni.
— ManN💙🙇🏻♂️ (@bluntJaat) June 25, 2019
Those who r fighting just bcoz they like one of these more, guys plz be sensible and cheer team India for #ICCWC2019
Laughing off seeing the maturity of these fan boys fighting over Sachin’s comment on MS and how it’s turned to a fan war. 😀
— Prabhu (@Cricprabhu) June 24, 2019
It’s an Opinion of a Legend. Take it. Move on. Just #WhistleforIndia in the next game than crying over it. #TeamIndia #Dhoni #Sachin