Lasith Malinga gives his inputs on whether MS Dhoni should continue playing after World Cup

Former India captain and current wicketkeeper MS Dhoni has been criticized from all quarters of cricketing world for his inability to provide impetus to the Team India innings in the death overs. Much was expected from the veteran batsman, who showed glimpses of his former self in the warm-up game against Bangladesh, but all that evaporated as he found it difficult to hit big shots in death overs.

Batting first the team wants to put up a big score and Dhoni had the platform to launch an attack on the bowlers, but he has been content to take singles and doubles with occasional boundary threw it for effect. With speculations rife of him calling time on his career after the World Cup, one Sri Lankan legend Lasith Malinga feels he should continue for a year or two more.

Dhoni still the best finisher in the world

Malinga has opined that Dhoni should continue plying his trade for a couple of years more to let the youngsters ease into his shoes. “He should play another year or two and prepare players who can do the job of finishers on the big stage. He is still the best finisher in world cricket. It will be difficult to fill his shoes and young players should look to learn from him,” Malinga was quoted as saying by Timesnownews.

Dhoni came under heavy fire as India lost to England by 31 runs, and in the last phase of the innings, even while he was out, the veteran played a sluggish inning and showed no intention of chasing down the required runs. He and Kedar Jadhav both were knocking the ball around for singles, and social media blew up in criticism of the former skipper.  There have also been reports that India’s last game in the World Cup will be his final appearance.

Meanwhile, Lasith Malinga also praised the Virat Kohli-led side for becoming the second team to make it into the semi-finals after Australia and feels that they have what it takes to lift the coveted trophy. He also felt that Kohli is due for a big one as despite scoring five half-centuries in the tournament, he has not been able to convert any of them into three figures.

“I think this team can do it as they have shown character. They have experienced players and you know how well Rohit Sharma is playing. Virat Kohli is also due and he might score his first hundred in the semi-final or the final as he loves the big stage. The Indians have a lot of match-winning players and that is what counts,” the Sri Lankan fast bowler signed off saying.