MS Dhoni A Must-Have Player In Your Side: Shane Warne

Former Australia spinner Shane Warne feels MS Dhoni is a ‘must have’ in the Indian side.

The cricketing world as well as the Indian team would have realised the importance of MS Dhoni in the team after losing the fourth ODI against Australia. The Men in Blue had looked primed to wrap up the series after posting a mammoth 358 for 9 in the the allotted 50 overs. However, they failed to defend the total and in the process also failed to defend for the firs time a 350-plus total. Prior to the fourth ODI, the highest score that India had failed to defend was 322.

The struggles of Rishabh Pant behind the stumps further highlighted the importance of Dhoni. Pant had the chance to kill the game in the 44th over but he missed an easy chance to stump Ashton Turner. The Australian batsman, who was batting at 38 at that time, went on to play an unbeaten knock of 84 to take his side home.

And with India clearly missing the experienced and calm presence of their former skipper, Shane Warne said that the wicketkeeper-batsman is a must in the playing eleven.

“When things are tough, you need experienced guys in your side like MS Dhoni. For me, MS Dhoni is a great player and a must-have player in your side,” Warne told ANI.

In fact, Warne went on to say that “anyone criticising MS Dhoni has absolutely no idea what they are talking about.”

At the same time, Warne said that Pant still deserves a chance in the team. He further predicted the winner of the upcoming World Cup, terming India and England as favourites.

“I think India and England must go in the favourites because of the cricket they have played over the last six to 12 months but I think Australia is starting to develop that belief where they can win from anywhere again,” said Shane Warne.

Meanwhile, hosts England will take on South Africa in the World Cup-opener on May 30, 2019, at The Oval in London. The tournament will last for 45 days with 48 matches to be played.  The format for the 2019 edition will see 10 best teams in the world going head-to-head in a round-robin format. The tournament will culminate with the final at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground on July 14.