India vs Australia | Never underestimate MS Dhoni's importance, asserts Michael Clarke

Virat Kohli-led India surrendered a 2-0 lead to ultimately succumb to a disheartening 3-2 loss in the five-match ODI series against Australia on home soil after they lost the final One-Dayer by 35 runs at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in Delhi on Wednesday. Former Australia captain, Michael Clarke, believes that India’s back-to-back losses in the last two ODI’s were due to the absence of former World Cup winning captain MS Dhoni.

The Indian management opted to give Delhi youngster Rishabh Pant some game time as they rested Dhoni for the final two matches against the Aussies. Pant appeared to struggle in the middle in high-pressure situations as the home team were ultimately undone by a passionate and vigorous Australian side.

"Never underestimate the importance of MSD - experience in the middle order is so important," Clarke, who is also World Cup-winning captain, wrote on his twitter handle.

The former Australia batsman warned critics to not write off the CSK captain just yet as he was adamant that Dhoni would be an invaluable addition to the Indian World Cup squad in May. Under Dhoni's captaincy, India won the inaugural World T20 in 2007 and the ICC World Cup in 2011, ending a 28-year wait for a second title.

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