Team India’s 5-run loss to South Africa in the first ODI at Kanpur revealed an ugly truth that no MS Dhoni fan would want to know. The fact that the burly right-hander is past his prime!

Dhoni came onto the crease when Rohit Sharma was in full flow and was clearing the boundary at will. It was India’s game but MSD’s 30-ball 31 killed the hosts’ hopes.

Every time Rohit would clear the fence, Dhoni would follow it with unnecessary dots. His inability to hit Imran Tahir’s leg-stump full tosses for more than a single was shameful.

India needed 11 runs in the final over and the Dhoni of old would have done it with a ball to spare, but the current Dhoni couldn’t even clear the 30-yard circle, revealing the bitter truth.

All images courtesy: CRICINFO