MS Dhoni needs to step up as a batsman, says Venkatesh Prasad

MS Dhoni’s woeful batting form has been a concern for Team India for a long time. Every time he has failed to score runs, the captain Virat Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri have defended the veteran stating the way he adds value to the team. But the time has come for Dhoni now to make amends and score runs on a consistent basis. Even the former Indian cricketer Venkatesh Prasad also feels the same as he opined that the team’s middle-order is still a worry.

Dhoni had a great chance to revive himself as the finisher in the final of the Asia Cup when he came out to bat with the team struggling at 83/3. His approach towards the spinners was improved and the way he played a couple of strokes reignited the hopes in fans’ minds. But after some point, the 37-year-old slowed down for no reason and eventually got out scoring 36 off 67 deliveries.

His keeping skills are a cut above the rest

Venkatesh Prasad, in his column in the Times of India, believed that India thoroughly deserved the Asia Cup title for the way they played and it was important for them to win ahead of the World Cup. “At the end of the two-week cricket extravaganza in the UAE, Rohit Sharma and Co. emerged deserving Asia Cup champions. With the focus on next year’s World Cup, the victory is a big statement of intent by the Indian side,” he wrote.

Prasad though was quick to highlight the middle-order issues and felt that Dhoni needs to step up big time. However, he had no doubt about his wicketkeeping skills and hailed him for the same. “Having said that, it was also a reality check for the middle-order, which still looks fluid. MS Dhoni will need to step up as a batman. Although Rishabh Pant is waiting in the wings, Dhoni’s wicketkeeping skills remain sharp and a cut above the rest,” the former Indian bowling coach further added.

There are almost 24 ODIs for India to come up with a settled combination for the mega event next year and Dhoni too needs to reflect on his approach with the willow during this period.

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