‘We totally believe in him’ – Kohli throws weight behind Dhoni

When India chased 323 to go 2-0 up in the three-match one-day international series, the top five were back with 154 on the board in just over 31 overs, leaving Dhoni and Hardik Pandya to score most of the remaining runs.

Dhoni, however, chose to play well within himself, scoring 37 in 59 balls before becoming the eighth man out. India’s chase ended on 236.“This thing comes up again and again when he is not able to play the way he does,” Kohli said when asked about Dhoni’s slow-go at Lord’s, which even the strong Indian contingent in the stands voiced its disapproval of.

“It is very unfortunate that people just jump to conclusions very quickly,” Kohli added. “When he does well, people call him best finisher ever. And when things don't go well people pounce on him.”

Dhoni arrived at the crease with India struggling on 140/4 after 27 overs. Kohli had just been dismissed lbw to Moeen Ali and with the required rate a shade below eight an over, quick runs were the need of the hour.

However, with the surface slightly two-paced and Adil Rashid and Ali bowling well, Dhoni found the going tough. His timing seemed off and by the time he was dismissed, having hit just two fours during his knock, the game had gone out of India's hands.

“The idea was to take the innings deep,” Kohli explained. “We don't want to lose by 160 or 170 runs. You want to take it as deep as you can and he has got the experience, but some days it just doesn't come off.

“People just jump to conclusions, which we as a team don't. We totally believe in him and in the abilities in all the other players.”

India eventually lost the second ODI by 86 runs. “We all have bad days in cricket,” said Kohli. “Today was, I think, a bad day for everyone, not just for him alone. And just as a batting unit we could not click.”