MS Dhoni is undoubtedly the greatest wicketkeeper-batsman and captain that India have ever produced. However, with the 2019 World Cup approaching, his position in the team is being questioned…
With the World Cup right around the corner, India are starting to finalize their squad and best playing XI. India’s middle-order continues to be a bone of contention for selectors. In the last couple of years, we’ve seen India win games solely due to the brilliance of their top three batsmen. The problem arises when the middle-order is exposed too early. In the Asia Cup and against the West Indies, we saw the batsmen struggle to cope with expectations when the top-order collapsed. This inconsistency can partially be attributed to the fact that one of world cricket’s best finishers, MS Dhoni, has not been able to live up to his reputation as of late.
More often than not, we see Dhoni take his time at the crease and get used to the conditions – but the trademark late-stage acceleration seems to be lost. He’s been scoring 20s and 30s to set himself up but then losing his wicket right when the big shots are needed. Take the Asia Cup for example; Dhoni came in when a couple of wickets had fallen and did all the hard work by consolidating the innings with Dinesh Karthik.
"He's still a very integral part of this team."
India captain Virat Kohli has thrown his full weight behind former captain MS Dhoni's place in the ODI side. Agree with what he has to say?
READ ⬇https://t.co/ZxjjtI9JWB pic.twitter.com/N5g2X8LQur
— ICC (@ICC) November 2, 2018
Just when Dhoni was looking like his old self, he lost his wicket. After consuming quite a few balls, Dhoni’s dismissal turned the pressure back on India. One normally associates Dhoni with the finishing role given that he has all the big shots in his locker, but the veteran has struggled to find his touch and keep up with the required run-rate.
Dhoni has made the number 5 position his own over the years, but his match-winning form seems lost and it’s taking a toll on the Indian team as a whole. Nine times out of ten, their top-order will perform – but if that one game in which they don’t is a big encounter like the Champions Trophy final, there isn’t anyone to fall back upon. Nonetheless, dropping Dhoni is not ideal so close to the World Cup given all that he brings to the team.
Will MS Dhoni finish his career on top of this list? https://t.co/vnyHYkWkHp #INDvWI pic.twitter.com/0RMli8koD5
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) November 1, 2018
Still the world’s best keeper?
The former captain has been sensational behind the stumps even when his batting has slumped. Dhoni’s improved his keeping by leaps and bounds, with no one quite as fast and slick as him in the international circuit. In terms of stumping and catching, he is second to none – and even though he’s no longer captain, his reading of the game is still remarkable. During Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, Dhoni has offered valuable advice when games are in the balance. Be it a bowling change or fielding placement, it’s worked in the team’s favour more often than not.
During the World Cup, especially in tight matches, MS Dhoni’s experience will be an asset for India. His mere presence on the pitch will have a calming influence on the rest of the team. The problem, however, will worsen if he continues to bat in a lacklustre manner. India will suffer a lot as they’ll struggle to close out an innings with the necessary conviction – which will leave them twenty to thirty runs short of their desired total. Let’s hope for cricket’s sake that the legend has one more trick up his sleeve and closes out his career with another memorable World Cup.