Asia Cup 2018 India vs Afghanistan: After 696 days, MS Dhoni back as Captain Cool for Team India

It has been 21 months - more precisely 696 days - since we saw Mahendra Singh Dhoni step out as captain of the Indian team, something fans never thought they would see again.

But that is the case. In a game against Afghanistan before the finals of the 2018 Asia Cup, Dhoni – much to the delight and joy of his fans – walked alongside his rival captain Asghar Afghan – to the toss.

It’s probably a one-time thing only, but it’s a surprise people would want to see. Visions of Captain Cool whacking Nuwan Kulasekara over his head with his trademark helicopter shot to give India a World Cup win are the first things that come to mind. But mind you, it’s a day after India won the inaugural T20 World Cup 11 years. Furthermore, it’s also Dhoni’s 200^th ODI as captain of India in an ODI. "It's destiny. Good to complete 200 ODIs," was all he had to say at the toss.

This is how people on Twitter reacted.

Captain msd 200 match  #dhoni #INDvAFG

— ashok (@ashokcibi) September 25, 2018

Dhoni will be the captain of India for today's match. This time officially. #INDvAFG

— SAGAR (@sagarcasm) September 25, 2018

Captain Cool is back!

Some changes for India means Rohit Sharma rests and MS Dhoni once again takes the reins! His 200th ODI as captain.

He's lost the toss and Afghanistan are batting, while Deepak Chahar makes his debut.

#INDvAFG LIVE ⬇️https://t.co/QOBmNShq3d#AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/OUXFy0KsJ3

— ICC (@ICC) September 25, 2018

India will be hoping to maintain their 100 per cent record in the Asia Cup 2018 when they take on Afghanistan in an otherwise dead rubber on Tuesday.

While India have already booked a place in the final with wins over Bangladesh and Pakistan, Afghanistan have no chance of making it to the summit clash after two close losses.

However, India will be looking to dust off any last minutes cobwebs before the all-important final clash. They would like to use this opportunity to test their unsettled middle-order and provide them some time in the middle. They may also rest the main pace bowlers to get them recharged before the final. The Afghans, on the other hand, will be looking to end on a high after two heartbreaking losses in the Super 4 matches against Pakistan and Bangladesh. They lost both the matches in the last over.