MS Dhoni needs to perform to retain limited-overs spot: Sourav Ganguly

Virat Kohli has taken over the captaincy role of the Indian limited-overs team from MS Dhoni in early 2017. Dhoni who has led India to victory in 2011 World Cup as well as the 2007 Twenty20 World Cup, has struggled to perform ever since handing over the reins to Kohli.

The Indian team has performed exceptionally well under the newly appointed captain, however, it is Dhoni’s batting struggles that have grabbed the headlines on several occasions. During the recently concluded England tour, the former captain’s batting approach raised some questions, after India lost the series 2 games to 1. 

Pundits puzzled by Dhoni’s approach 

India won the first One Day International in Nottingham by 8 wickets in which Dhoni did not get a chance to bat. The second game which India lost by 86 runs, saw Dhoni being backlashed after his 59-ball 37. Things got worse in the series decider, as India failed to put up a competitive total batting first. Here again, the wicketkeeper batsmen failed and scored a 66-ball 42 and India came second in the series. 

Dhoni failed to open his account during the current Asia Cup in UAE against Hong Kong, while he did not get a chance to bat in the high-octane game against arch-rivals Pakistan. Considering the below-par performance in limited overs cricket, former Indian skipper, Sourav Ganguly, said that the Ranchi batsman needs to perform in order to retain the ODI spot. 

“Asia Cup is a very important tournament for MS Dhoni. He is a great player and has scored a ton of runs but he won’t keep getting games just due to this. There is a time limit for everyone. I’m surprised to see that Pant wasn’t given a chance in this tournament,” Ganguly told India TV.

In the past, Dhoni have bounced back from such batting blues in great fashion. However, time might be running out for him as young Rishabh Pant has sparkled in the last Test against England. Pant is knocking on the doors of a limited-overs spot ever since his stupendous performances for Delhi Daredevils in IPL 2018.

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