MS Dhoni is an absolute must for India in 2019 World Cup: Sunil Gavaskar

Dhoni has had lean patch with the bat since the tour of England earlier this year.

By Subhankar Bhattacharya

Updated - 29 Oct 2018, 21:58 IST

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Former India captain and prolific opener Sunil Gavaskar feels MS Dhoni will be indispensable for Team India in next year’s Cricket World Cup. Dhoni’s form has come under the scanner of late, which, many believe has led to him being dropped from India’s T20I squad for the series against the Windies and Australia. Arguably the best finisher the game has ever seen, Dhoni even at 37 remains a cricketer with a lot to offer and heaps of experience.

However, when compared to his own self from before, MSD’s abilities have clearly diminished with the bat. Many thus believe it is time for selectors to look beyond the veteran wicketkeeper-batsman. Despite all that, Dhoni remains a priceless asset for Team India behind the stumps. Not only does he execute lightning-quick stumpings and cheeky run-outs, but he’s also the main man when it comes to setting fields for bowlers and guiding them time and again on how to bowl to a particular batsman.

Dhoni’s presence a huge plus for Virat: Gavaskar

According to Sunil Gavaskar, these are the qualities that make the World Cup winning captain such an invaluable member of the side. Speaking during an analysis on Star Sports, he said, “Virat needs (Dhoni). There’s no doubt about it. In 50 overs where there is that much more time, that’s when MSD comes into play. You know he makes those small field adjustments, talking to the bowlers in Hindi – telling them where to bowl and what to bowl. It’s a huge plus for Virat.”

While Dhoni has been omitted from the T20I squad that will face the Windies and Australia next month, selectors have maintained that the 37-year-old has only been rested. Indeed Virat Kohli will have a set of experienced campaigners to help him out in terms of advice on the field, but Gavaskar insists that Dhoni brings a lot more to the table and his presence in next year’s mega event is vital.

“MSD is an absolute must for the 2019 World Cup. But having said that, I believe, the way Rohit Sharma has come to the party as a captain, as a thinker, as a planner. He has been brilliant. With Rohit coming in and also Ajinkya Rahane, Virat has a couple more shoulders to lean on. Therefore, I think this [is a] move to have MS Dhoni take a break from T20I cricket,” he said.

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