Sandeep Patil maintains Mahendra Singh Dhoni is a first-choice gloveman

Former selector for Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Sandeep Patil has backed Mahendra Singh Dhoni as a wicketkeeper. The ex-Indian cricketer has a solid reason behind his statement.

At the same time, the 61-year-old Patil has admitted the fact that another wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik has shown enough maturity.

“Dinesh seems to have settled shown…and he has provided the team management and the selectors a reliable option. The performance in a final will definitely do a lot for Karthik,” ToI quotes Patil.

Dhoni might be past his prime, but he has left an indelible mark in the cricketing fold. However, following the recent thrilling cameo against the Tigers Karthik’s name has yet again popped out owing to the limited-overs fold.

Enjoying the multiple stints as a coach, Patil believes the former skipper Dhoni must be a first choice in the marquee events in the contemporary cricket.

“I will still go with Dhoni. Unfortunately, in the ICC events, 17 or 18 players can’t be picked. I want Dhoni to play in 2019 WC,” Patil said.

The Mumbai-based Patil has praised Dhoni for his fitness while adding the experience would play a crucial role.

Sandeep Patil asserted Dhoni has the potential to yield desired results in the crunch situation.

“His fitness is fabulous, his exploits have gone down a bit but it happens with every cricketer. The experience he has…he can still deliver under pressure because the pressure during a World Cup is completely different and Dhoni has been,” Patil further stated.

The right-handed batsman Karthik has gained the reputation throughout the career but has been on the fringes with Dhoni enjoying the lion’s share as an astute thinker.

Subsequently, Patil reiterated and expressed content that Karthik’s batting ability would benefit the team in particular.

In the recently concluded Nidahas Trophy final against Bangladesh, Karthik blasted unbeaten 28 off eight balls to lift the title for Men in Blue.

Interestingly, with five needed off the final delivery, Karthik did a Javed Miandad by smashing a six over the cover boundary on the bowling of Soumya Sarkar.

Sandeep Patil preferred Karthik over Dhoni in 2004 –

Simultaneously, it was way back in 2004 when Parthiv Patel suffered an injury. However, the then chairman of selectors Syed Kirmani was forced to ask former India A coach Patil to fill in the preference.

Clear in his thinking, Patil suggested Karthik’s name after witnessing latter’s performance in Zimbabwe. The stylish batter was inducted into India’s Champions Trophy squad held in England.

Interestingly, with India A, Patil reminisced of calling upon Dhoni-Karthik in Harare over the selection and non-selection respectively. He asserted that it was his duty to make his wards comfortable.

“I got a call (from the selectors), and I’ve suggested your name. I wished him all the best. After that, I called Dhoni too to my room, and explained to him that why did I suggest Karthik’s name, and not his,” Patil recalled.

However, the former chairman of selectors Patil also asserted Dhoni is bound to get a chance. Ultimately, the Ranchi-lad proved his mettle and sealed three ICC coveted titles under his belt

“I told him that his turn would come too, and that he will get his chance. I told him that as a coach, it’s my duty to tell you that the reason being sending Karthik is that he’s scored a hundred, and he was keeping wickets,” Patil added.

To illustrate, Sandeep Patil featured in 45 One-day Internationals, 29 Tests for India between 1980 to 1986. He scored 1,588 runs in Tests, and 1,005 runs in ODIs.

Moreover, Patil claimed 24 wickets across formats.

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