The wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni was under the pump for quite a period of time and finally, delivered the goods when it mattered the most in Australia. With the ICC World Cup 2019 around the corner, the remaining few games are the must for Mahendra Singh Dhoni to get into his zone. But, unfortunately, hamstring saw him missing a couple of games.
In the recent few games, Dhoni’s innings showed that his finishing abilities are still intact and he can still win games for India. Meanwhile, the former Indian cricketer Nikhil Chopra feels that Dhoni is pretty important for the Indian team in ODI circuit.
MS Dhoni is important – Nikhil Chopra
In absence of MS Dhoni, the entire middle order collapsed after the experienced opening pair of Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma failed in the 4th ODI. From Ambati Rayudu, Dinesh Karthik, Kedar Jadhav to Hardik Pandya, none of the Indian batters showed promise in the middle.
“Without a doubt [proved his importance to the team]. The old warhorse with his style of play when you’re losing wickets at regular intervals, you need a senior pro to block up one end. Also, give important advice to youngsters or whoever is batting with him [Dhoni] at the other end on how to counter the swing bowling. With his experience, you definitely need him out there in the middle,” Nikhil Chopra told India Today on Saturday.
Ambati Rayudu should play ICC World Cup 2019:
“I think he [Rayudu] will be around. I won’t be surprised if he is on that flight to the World Cup. Otherwise, there will be too many fresh faces in that middle-order. He has got the potential, the talent but somebody needs to spend time with him and tell him how to adapt to situations,” Chopra said.
Meanwhile, MS Dhoni failed to put on a show in the final ODI of the series, as he was cleaned up by Trent Boult. Perhaps, being out of a couple of games haven’t helped him to adjust to the conditions quickly.
During the course, Ambati Rayudu, who had failures in the recent past has finally reverted with his performance. His superb 90-run knock helped India to put a moderate total on the board.
