'Dinesh Karthik Was Batting Well In Practice Games. But MS Dhoni Found Spot for...': Former India Coach Reveals MSD’s Big Gamble

Suryakumar Yadav has been selected by India as their opener in the West Indies, just three months before the World Twenty20. The strategy appears to have been successful as the right-handed batter has scored 24, 11, and 76 runs in the five-match Twenty20 series, raising the question of whether a new starting duo will be used in Australia.

The team’s continual turnover at the top might be detrimental going into the T20 championship game, but previous captain MS Dhoni elevated Rohit Sharma over ten years ago, which is still one of India’s biggest bets in international cricket.

With three double centuries in the 50-over format, Rohit, the Indian team’s all-format captain, is now recognised as one of the game’s most proficient batsmen.

MS Dhoni Made Space For Rohit Sharma At The Top Of The Indian Batting Order: R Sridhar

Karthik won a spot in the starting eleven by scoring an undefeated 146 against Australia’s elite speed attack in the warm-up game for the 2013 Champions Trophy. The seasoned wicketkeeper-batter was given the No. 4 place, while India’s opening risk for the major tournament in England saw Rohit start with Shikhar Dhawan.

R Sridhar, the former fielding coach for India, discussed Dhoni’s decision, which undoubtedly benefited Indian cricket. He explained how the previous captain wanted to move Rohit up the lineup.

“There was one decision made by Dhoni in 2013 Champions Trophy to send Rohit to open. Dinesh (Karthik) was batting so well in the practice games but Rohit had to play… so the management then, mostly captain Dhoni, found a spot for Rohit at the top of the order. That was a brilliant move,” Sridhar told cricket.com.

Rohit became one of the top five run scorers in the tournament as a result of Dhoni’s confidence in his skills. Rohit averaged 35.40 runs per game while scoring 177 runs in five games.

Suryakumar Yadav Has Shown How Good He Is: R Sridhar

In addition, Sridhar praised Suryakumar Yadav’s participation in the current 20-over lineup and emphasised how Shreyas Iyer can fill in at No. 3 when Virat Kohli isn’t available.

“A move that we made in T20s was Surya coming into the team a couple of years ago against England. He has shown how good he is. Shreyas (Iyer) is back at No.3, which is where he should be if Virat (Kohli) is not playing,” Sridhar added.

Also Read: Cricket To Be Reviewed By International Olympic Committee For Addition To 2028 Los Angeles Games