Dhoni the modern day master of the chase

One-day or T20, at nighttime or dusk. If Kohli don't get ya then Dhoni must.

It's been a familiar tune in the past decade in limited-overs cricket against India; bat first, make a score and watch as one, if not both, of Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni chase it down.

Their records in the second innings of victories speaks for themselves – Kohli averages 95.24 with 21 hundreds while Dhoni averages 105.25 with 47 not outs. 

Australia have felt the wrath of both men since Dhoni made his debut in 2004 and Kohli joined him four years later, but in more recent times it's been the veteran that has caused the tourists headaches in ODI cricket.

Twice in the Gillette ODI Series in Australia in January did Dhoni surgically guide his side to triumph to seal a 2-1 series win and on Saturday night in Hyderabad he did it once again.

While he was outscored by Kedar Jadhav’s unbeaten 81, Dhoni's 59 not out from 72 balls was just as crucial as he gave the strike to his younger partner and hit a boundary, almost on command, whenever the Australians started to build and apply pressure.

India won by six wickets with 10 balls to spare to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. 

Jadhav fronted the press after the match and was almost speechless when asked what affect Dhoni has on him when they bat together.

"Every time I bat with him, I spend time with him, I learn a lot. I can't put it into words," Jadhav said.

"But you can see the way I'm batting … I feel very confident.

"That's the sort of person he is. You just see him and feel like you'll deliver today."

Australia opener Usman Khawaja had perfect viewing of the Dhoni’s masterclasses at home this summer and in Hyderabad and explained what makes the India gloveman so accomplished in run chases. 

"He just executes well," Khawaja said. "He has the last three games, just stayed calm and backed himself to take it deep. 

"Then when he needs to he hits a boundary. You can tell he sort of changes gears, he'll hit single, single, two then try to hit a boundary.

"It doesn't always come off but the majority of times it does.

"He does that really well, that's experience."

Dhoni said after India were bounced out of the 2016 World T20 in Mumbai he intends to play on until the 2019 World Cup, which is now less than 90 days away.

While social media trolls may call for his head each time he fails with exciting wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant waiting in the wings, to omit a player of Dhoni's experience, guile and match-winning ability would appear premature.

And couple him with Kohli, who are perhaps two of the three greatest finishers in ODI history (the other being Michael Bevan), it makes India an irresistible force at the World Cup and a genuine reason why opposition teams will elect to bowl first, just so the Indian pair don't have a target to pursue.

Their influence on Indian cricket is immeasurable, and Jadhav says his teammates is trying to accomplish just a fraction of what Dhoni and Kohli have done over their illustrious careers. 

"You couldn't ask for more than having those players in your team, you're batting with them and learning from them every day," Jadhav said.

"Every youngster in this team doing well, credit goes to MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli.

"We as a team are trying to get at least 10-15 per cent of their achievements."

Qantas Tour of India

First T20: Australia won by three wickets

Second T20: Australia won by seven wickets

First ODI: March 2, Hyderabad

Second ODI: March 5, Nagpur

Third ODI: March 8, Ranchi

Fourth ODI: March 10, Mohali

Fifth ODI: March 13, Delhi