People Shouldn't Boo 'One Of The Greats' MS Dhoni: Sourav Ganguly

At a time when MS Dhoni is facing criticism from all quarters for his poor batting displays, former India skipper Sourav has come out in his support. Ganguly said the 37-year old should not be booed.

The tour of England turned out to be a nightmare for Dhoni. The former India skipper had arrived in England full of confidence after his exploits in this year’s Indian Premier League.

The Chennai Super Kings skipper Dhoni finished the season with 455 runs to his name. In addition, he also scored three fifties while smashing 24 fours and 30 sixes. It was his best season since 2013 when he had scored 461 runs in 18 games.

But the form in the league counted for little as he failed miserably in England. While he managed to score decent runs, it was his ultra-defensive approach that had everyone talking. 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.

His struggles were on display in the third ODI too. The right-hander 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 8. In reply, England chased down the total with utmost ease to win the series.

During the second ODI at Lord’s, a section of the crowd had grown so frustrated that they booed the World Cup-winning skipper. And this behaviour has not impressed Ganguly. The former skipper also opined that Dhoni should play his natural game.

“The people shouldn’t boo Dhoni. He’s one of the greats. I don’t think we will ever find a player like him in the times to come. He got stuck out there, couldn’t rotate the strike. He should start hitting because that’s his natural game. One starts questioning his abilities, as to whether he can perform in the same fashion like he did before. In 2005, he used to hit bowlers in any conditions. In Pakistan, he went and hit sixes all around. The team management should sit and talk to him, give him the No.6 spot and tell him to get back to his natural game,” Ganguly told IndiaTV.