Former India Pacer Explains How India Can Get The Best Out Of MS Dhoni
MS Dhoni’s role in current Indian team as well as his future in international cricket continues to be a major talking point. Regarded widely as one of the best finishers in the history of the game, MS Dhoni has looked like a pale shadow of his usual self in recent times.
The veteran has struggled to bat in the manner he used to while being in his prime. With age not on his side, MS Dhoni has not really managed to justify the tag of finisher in recent times and it has invited criticism from all around. There are now question marks over his future in international cricket.
The 38-year old has not played a single competitive game since the end of the World Cup in July last year. As soon as the tournament ended, he took an indefinite sabbatical from the game which is yet to end. The veteran wicketkeeper-batsman would have made his much-awaited comeback in March through the thirteenth edition of the IPL.
He had also started his training for the season but the coronavirus pandemic changed everything. In the wake of the outbreak, the BCCI suspended the league till mid-April before deciding to suspend it indefinitely after the lockdown was extended to May 3.
And while only time well how things unfold for the World Cup-winning captain, former India fast bowler Venkatesh Prasad has given has views on how India can take the best out of the wicketkeeper. Prasad said that MS Dhoni is better suited to play up the order than as a finisher.
Prasad believes that at 38 and with slowing reflexes, India can benefit the most from Dhoni if they bat him higher.
“Instead of treating Dhoni as a finisher, I will play him up the order. I would probably ask him to bat at number 3 or 4. Or, if I have only 10 overs left, I will tell Dhoni go and just play his game the way he plays as a finisher,” Prasad told Times of India before adding: “Let’s not forget, Dhoni has experience and the inputs that he would give, that’s extremely valuable.”
Well, MS Dhoni has impressive numbers batting at No. 3 and 4. So far, he has scored 2351 runs from 46 combined innings, averaging 82.75 and 56.58 respectively. Prasad, meanwhile, further said that it would be difficult for Dhoni to return to the Indian team.
“It’s very tough for him to really break into the team. It’s tough for him now again to make a comeback because he’s not played cricket for almost a year. It’s not going to be easy for him,” Prasad said.
“There is no doubt he is very fit but then your reflexes tend to come down as you grow old. He is nearing 40. So, it’s not going to be easy for him. I would also leave it to the team management. If he shows good fitness and also if team management comes up with some strategy,” he added.
