India have Found The Player To Replace MS Dhoni, Says Shoaib Akhtar

For nearly two years now, India have been searching for a reliable middle-order batsman and a finisher. With MS Dhoni looking like a pale shadow of his former self in the last two years or so, India tried desperately to find a reliable player but to no avail. MS Dhoni took a sabbatical from the game after last year’s World Cup but India’s search has not ended yet.

In absence of the former India skipper, the team has put the onus of wicketkeeper and finisher on Rishabh Pant but the youngster has not really managed to deliver. And while it looks like replacing MS Dhoni will be a herculean task for the team-management, former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar believes otherwise. The legendary pacer believes that Manish Pandey could finally plug the gap which has been left by MS Dhoni. Manish Pandey recently played in the final two ODIs of the series against Australia but he too did not really make a big mark.

“Hindustan ko akhir Dhoni ka replacement mil gya,” Shoaib Akhtar said on his YouTube channel. “India has finally got Dhoni’s replacement, they have found a good fit in Manish Pandey. Shreyas Iyer too looks a complete player and these add depth to India’s batting,” he added.

“These players have played a lot in the IPL, they know how to handle pressure, they do not care about big names and hence, end up playing important innings,” Akhtar spoke about young players like Iyer and Pandey.

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Akhtar also spoke about the series between India and Australia and praised the Men in Blue for the win. India came from behind to win the three-match series 2-1. After losing the opener, the Virat Kohli-led side won the next two games with ease to clinch the series.

“In Chinnaswamy, India bullied Australia, hammered them. India toyed around with Australia as if they were kids. They thrashed and humiliated them. When Rohit Sharma is on song, he doesn’t care whether it is a good ball or a bad ball. He has so much of time, so much elegance when he plays his shots,” he said.