ICC World Cup 2019: MS Dhoni Is A Great, You Cannot Doubt Him - Michael Clarke

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has put his weight behind MS Dhoni. The former Indian skipper is under the pump after he played an uncharacteristic knock of 42 runs from 31 balls against England. Dhoni’s intent to go for the target was questioned and the right-handed batsman had to draw the flak from the media.

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However, Dhoni was backed by team captain Virat Kohli and batting coach Sanjay Bangar. In fact, Dhoni didn’t swing his bat in the death overs which made him the centre of all criticism. But, Bangar later claimed that Dhoni was batting while keeping Net Run Rate in the equation.

Dhoni has drawn flak from the media.

Meanwhile, Michael Clarke who had taken Australia to glory in the 2015 World Cup said that it is baseless to doubt the greatness of MS Dhoni.

“People haven’t learnt by now to not doubt MS Dhoni. I will say this… over and over and over again. You don’t doubt greatness. And MS Dhoni is great. He is the greatest finisher to ever play to this game,” Michael Clarke told India Today.

“Right now, India is doing it without MS Dhoni firing. Don’t waste him now. Save him for when India really need him. He might do it in the semi-final, he might do it in the final,” Clarke added.

“As an opposition player or captain, you would be so silly to write him off.”

In fact, former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly and former England captain Nasser Hussain were baffled by the peculiar approach from Dhoni against England.

On the other hand, Sachin Tendulkar defended MS Dhoni’s approach. Tendulkar stated Dhoni was able to give his contribution to the team after he scored 33-ball 35 against Bangladesh.

“I felt it was an important inning and he (MS Dhoni) did exactly what was right for the team. If he stays till the 50th over, he can help other guys around him. He is expected to do that and he did that.” Tendulkar said.

“For him, it is more about the team. Whatever is the need of the hour, one needs to do that and on Tuesday, he did that perfectly.”

MS Dhoni needs time before he can hit the ground running. Dhoni’s power hitting capability is on the wane but he is still a match-winner for the team. India will play their next match against Sri Lanka at Headingley, Leeds on 6th July.

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