MS Dhoni Remains Most Important Indian Player in World Cup - MSK Prasad

The national chief selector MSK Prasad has shed light on the importance of having MS Dhoni in India’s World Cup side. Prasad believes MS Dhoni is going to be the most important Indian player in the World Cup. Dhoni was not in the best of forms in 2018 but he was able to get back his Midas Touch in 2019. The veteran batsman scored 193 runs in the three-match ODI series against Australia.

Dhoni scored three consecutive fifties in the ODI series and he was able to rotate the strike with aplomb in the series against Australia. Thus, Dhoni was able to turn the tides to get back into form.

Dhoni is going to be pivotal.

In fact, the importance of having the former captain in the Indian team is known to everyone. Dhoni has the shrewdest of minds in the game and his expertise in the game is unparallel.

MSK Prasad revealed Dhoni is going to be instrumental in the success of the team. Prasad said while talking to ESPN Cricinfo,  “He (Dhoni) is going to be the most important guy for India in the World Cup: be it in his advisory role to Virat, be it with his wicketkeeping, be it with is on-field mentoring of young players”.

Prasad revealed that there were never doubts over MS Dhoni’s wicketkeeping skills as he is one of the best in the business. However, the stumper form with the bat was his Achilles Heel but the same was also put to rest when he got back into form. Dhoni’s power-hitting abilities are on the wane but there are always huge expectations from the talisman batsman.

Dhoni’s form was a cause of concern.

“There are two aspects of Dhoni: one is his wicketkeeping and the other is his batting. We have never had any doubts about his wicketkeeping. With regards to his batting, we were a bit worried about his form. But we also knew that if he played more, he would regain his form, and that is part of the any player’s career – there are dips in form and performances”.

“As Virat said, and I agree, the expectations on Mahi are so high. We always associate Mahi with that brutal batsman of his younger days. And the moment he does not do that, some people feel his reflexes have declined. But the way he has prepared and the way he has played in the recent series, I am very happy. Players of that legendary stature don’t need to be told. They know what is expected of them. They will obviously feel bad in case they do not deliver what is expected of them”.

MS Dhoni has all the experience under his belt and he is going to hold the key for India’s World Cup hopes. The former skipper knows how to win the big matches and his experience is going to be pivotal in crunch situations of the imperative matches. The veteran wicketkeeper-batsman will like to be at the top of his game and he is going to be a crucial cog in India’s wheel.