MS Dhoni is a different player now: Sourav Ganguly

While critics keep hitting out at the former Indian skipper MS Dhoni for prolonging his career in the side, southpaw and Indian legend Sourav Ganguly feels that Dhoni’s presence in the Indian Playing XI is immense.

Virat Kohli has had a spectacular start as a skipper for team India, with wins in the last eight series that he has skippered the side. Kohli is very often seen taking advice from the man behind-stumps MS Dhoni, with great effect. Former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly has urged that MS Dhoni must go on till the end of the 2019 World Cup before calling it a day in the International arena.

Dhoni should go on until 2019 World Cup

“I think so (Dhoni will continue till 2019 World Cup). The best part for Dhoni is Virat Kohli wants him. He’s 36 and he’s not the flamboyant MS Dhoni that we saw in Pakistan in 2004 but he’s a different player now. Kohli needs him not just as a keeper but in the leadership capacity as well; he has got the best view behind the stumps,” said Dada to India Today.

He also said felt that MS Dhoni is still one of India’s fittest players on the pitch, despite his age. While Dhoni’s natural game has taken a hit due to the age, his stamina and enthusiasm seemed to be ever-so-present.

While Ganguly spoke high of the uniqueness of former Indian skipper, he also said that the team management must keep an eye for the Bengal wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha who according to Ganguly is better at keeping than MS Dhoni himself. Batting at No.6 or 7, Ganguly believes that Saha can make a worldly difference.

“MS Dhoni is different, not the orthodox one but you need to be different to be successful and he has that. he has learnt his craft with time but we must keep an eye on Wriddhiman Saha. he’s better than ms at wicket-keeping, the best in the country right now. He bats at 6 or 7 for India so must keep an eye on him,” added Sourav.

Dinesh Karthik’s selection is baffling

The southpaw was visibly worried and confused at Dinesh Karthik’s selection in the Indian squad. “I don’t really know what the Indian management is looking at. If they are going for a second wicket-keeper then fine but he can’t be a substitute for KL Rahul. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan have been good in ODIs, Rahane has been brilliant in Test cricket and great in patches in ODIs but Rahul has done well in all the three formats; I am very surprised to see him dropped.” he said.

Ganguly further said that KL Rahul has done a lot for the Indian team in the past three years, to cement his place in the Indian squad and also he firmly believes that KL Rahul is the future of Indian cricket.