MS Dhoni, Daily News roundup
MS Dhoni. Credit: Getty Images

Former Indian opener Kris Srikkanth believes MS Dhoni is readymade for the number four position in the upcoming ICC World Cup 2019. India didn’t pick Ambati Rayudu who was labelled as the team’s number four in the previous months. However, it is expected that Vijay Shankar or KL Rahul is going to bat for India at the troublesome position. Meanwhile, MS Dhoni is in fine form in the ongoing Indian Premier League and he could be a great option to bat number four.

On the other hand, MS Dhoni has all the experience under his belt which is going to play a key role in India’s success. Dhoni has thus far scored 358 runs in the eight innings of the IPL for Chennai Super Kings at a Bradmansque average of 119. Furthermore, he has scored his runs at a strike rate of 142.63. Thus, Dhoni’s good form could be a great advantage for the India National Cricket Team.

MS Dhoni, India National Cricket Team, ICC World Cup 2019, Kapil Dev
MS Dhoni. Credits: AFP

Dhoni can deliver the goods at number four.

In his column for the Times of India, Srikkanth wrote, “For long, the No. 4 position has been much debated and frankly, I think too much has been made about that. In my opinion, India has a readymade No. 4 in MS Dhoni. I don’t think there is anyone better suited for that slot than the former skipper himself and why he has not been allowed to bat there consistently remains a mystery. Given the manner in which Dhoni played in Australia and in the ongoing IPL, there is no doubt that he has some quality left in the tank. Of course, the attacks that Dhoni will come up against in the World Cup will pose sterner tests, but that does not mean he can’t carry the team around.”

The former Indian opener Kris Srikkanth believes Dhoni bats with a vision in the ODI cricket. Dhoni can take his time his time in the initial phase and build his knock from there on. In fact, Dhoni has been in fine form in 2019 and he could be a big factor in India’s batting line-up.

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Dhoni has got the best vision.

“It goes without saying that Dhoni’s lack of instant firepower was held against him, but in 50-over cricket, one has enough time to pace his innings. No one bats with a better vision in ODI cricket than Dhoni. Once he has his engines cranked, Dhoni is one of the toughest batsmen to bowl to. Mixing caution with aggression is his biggest strength, especially when his team is chasing. Agreed his strike rate might have come down a touch, but that is only in keeping with the situation in hand. His approach has been more thoughtful in the last five-six years and it also has a lot to do with Dhoni’s self-belief, where he takes the game to the end and more often than not, finish the game,” Srikkanth added.

On the other hand, Kris Srikkanth added that Dhoni’s skills behind the stumps have remained intact. Dhoni was at his best against Delhi Capitals as he was once again quick in getting rid of the bails to affect two stumpings.

Kris Srikkanth, South Africa Vs India 2018, Batting, Centurion, Virat Kohli, Johannesburg
Photo Credit: Web.

Wicket-keeping skills are still top class.

“The wicketkeeping skills have remained intact. The stumpings against Delhi Capitals proved his ability behind the stumps can alone be the pivot on which matches will turn. His inputs, reflex behind the stumps and form with the bat will all hold the team in good stead in England. Very few players can lift their team with their sheer presence. In my playing days, it was Kapil Dev and Sachin Tendulkar. Likewise, Dhoni is someone who can inspire by just being with the team. Dhoni in his current form adds a lot of confidence, it does augur well for Chennai Super Kings as well at the business end of the IPL. With him at the helm, the team wears a different aura and looks almost unbeatable,” Srikkanth concluded.

Meanwhile, MS Dhoni is going to play a key role in India’s World Cup success and his inputs are going to be like gold dust. India will begin their World Cup campaign against South Africa on 5th June at Southampton.

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