Series Against Windies Big One For MS Dhoni, Says Sourav Ganguly

Backing under-pressure MS Dhoni, former India skipper Sourav Ganguly, on Sunday, said the ongoing series against Windies is important for the veteran batsman ahead of the 2019 World Cup.

There is absolutely no denying the fact that MS Dhoni is the most decorated wicketkeeper-batsman not only for India but also in the history of the game. Over 16,000 runs, more than 600 catches, close to 200 stumpings- make it clear that his achievements in the game is second to none.

His achievements as captain is also unparalleled.  Till date, he is the only skipper to have won all the ICC events after leading India to World Cup glory in 2011 followed by the Champions Trophy title in 2013.

However, Dhoni is under immense pressure at the moment due to his failure to perform as per his reputation in the last one year or so. The 37-year old has been facing criticism since the home T20I series against New Zealand last year.

Some handy outings in the South Africa series including his first T20I fifty after playing over a decade helped him ease the burden off himself. It was followed by a stunning outing in the Indian Premier League. He led from the front, as Chennai Super Kings won the title for the third time. The 37-year old enjoyed a stunning season with the bat, amassing 455 runs in 16 games.

But he has struggled with the bat since then.  He had a forgettable tour of England.

In the second ODI, he had walked into bat when India needed 183 in 23 overs. But never during his stay, Dhoni tried to go for the shots. In the end, he was out after scoring 37 off 59 balls, as India were all out for just 236 while chasing 323.

In fact, his innings was so unusual that the crowd even booed him at one stage which was perhaps the first time the legendary cricketer got booed in his illustrious career.

He struggled in the third ODI too. He managed to score 42 but used up 66 deliveries for the same. What made things even worse was the timing of his dismissal? He was the last recognised batsmen at the crease and just when it looked like he would accelerate, he departed in the 46th over. India eventually managed a modest 256 for eight. In reply, England chased down the total with utmost ease to win the series.

Everybody had hoped that Dhoni would regain his form once he bats in friendly conditions during the just-concluded Asia Cup 2018. However, those hopes got brutally quashed by the former India skipper. He started the competition with a duck against Hong Kong. It was followed by knocks of 33, 8 and 36.

And Sourav Ganguly feels the ongoing series against Windies is an important one for the keeper-batsman.

“I don’t know what combination they are thinking at. But I’m sure he (Dhoni) will do well in the World Cup. It’s (against Windies) big series for him,” Ganguly told PTI.

“His overall record is very good,” Ganguly pointed out. “It all depends how the players perform going ahead to the World Cup. It’s about scoring runs. That’s why Pant has been given a chance,” he added.

Overall in 2018, Dhoni has batted 10 times in 15 matches and has scored at a modest average of 28.12 and a strike rate of 67.36.

Ganguly further said that the 2019 World Cup will be a competitive one.

“India are a good ODI side. This World Cup will be worth watching. All teams play all and the best four go. It will be a competitive one,” Ganguly said.