India vs Australia: Can MS Dhoni start the new year with a bang?

New Delhi: There's a lot to prove for India's limited-overs skipper MS Dhoni in the upcoming Australian tour where the Men in Blue will play a five-match ODI series followed by three T20Is.

Things have not gone well for the Ranchi-born cricketer, after India lost two back-to-back series vs South Africa in T20s and ODIs on home soil. Not to forget, India were also stunned by Bangladesh in an ODI series last year.

 

Having retired from Tests, the 34-year-old has been out of cricketing action for quite some time as well. In his absence, Team India performed exceptionally well under Virat Kohli's captaincy, as they thrashed the Hashim Amla-led side 3-0 in a four-match series, ending their unbeaten nine-year winning streak away from home.

 

Even though Dhoni made a comeback to Vijay Hazare Trophy for Jharkhand, it was an average tournament as per his standards where he scored 179 runs from seven innings. Jharkhand failed to reach the final of the tournament as Gujarat beat Delhi to lift the trophy.

Dhoni would himself be keen to perform well Down Under, considering India's dismal show away from home under his leadership.

 

With the ICC World T20 just few months away, it remains to be seen whether Dhoni and Team India can start the new year with a bang.