We follow the west a lot, says MS Dhoni on split captaincy

Limited-overs captain MS Dhoni will be back in action with New Zealand ODI series starting tomorrow. The skipper spoke about the team combinations and his captaincy ahead of the first ODI. Dhoni also gave his opinion on the split captaincy in the conference. He further disclosed how he is involving Virat Kohli more and more in the decision making.

Clearly, the current ODI skipper is looking at ways to improve in the New Zealand series. He backed the decision to rest the key players like Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Dhoni rightly justified the decision to do so citing the hectic schedule of the Indian team. He emphasized on the importance giving adequate rest considering the long home season ahead.

India will host England for 5 Tests, 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is after the ODIs series against New Zealand. He also added that the Champions Trophy preparations need to be kept in mind.

“If you see this team, we have to keep the rest of the season also in mind. There is very little break in the middle. I think it is a good decision to a rest a few players. At times, we have to keep a long time view. Its gives us an opportnity to give see a few new players and it will be good to see the bench strength. We will be playing 8 matches before the Champions Trophy, so whatever we have we can see in this period,” said Dhoni.

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The Indian skipper also hinted that he might bat higher in the order. Suresh Raina has been ruled out of the first ODI due to viral feve. Hence, Dhoni might promote himself to bat in the top order. He maintained that it might not be among the top four but certainly at a position higher than he usually does.

“I may bat slightly bat up the order now. This team gives me that opportunity to bat at the position where I am looking to. Still it will be quite low, its not like a number 4 but it will be relatively higher to the position where I have batted in the last few years,” remarked MS Dhoni.

Commenting on the captaincy, MS said that he is using Virat more in captaincy discussions now. He pointed out that the duo have intensive discussions on the field and both give their opinions on specific issues. He said, “I have started using him more. there is more interaction.  Its evident if you watch the game. Two individuals will conduct in different ways. The practical way is very important. A lot of time you can argue on the theory aspect, but practicality is what is during the game.”

“We have a lot of chat on what needs to be done and he will give an example and if we are not on the same page, then I give my opinion,” he added further.

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Lastly, he commented that we have a habit of following other countries. He cited that the idea of split captaincy came from the west and we also adapted it. And then later we ourselves question why we did so and say that there should be one captain across all formats. He said that a lot has to be taken inton consideration before  taking such decisions. He clearly pointed that India has a different cricket schedule than most other countries.

“I think we follow the west a lot. I think we follow west a lot . A few years back we spoke about split captaincy. Then we asked why not and now we are asking why. I think we look at the foreign teams and we are like we should do be doing that way. But culturally, we are very different. The amount of cricket that we play is very different,” Dhoni concluded.