MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh are not the same finishers, says Mohammad Azharuddin

With just a couple of days remaining for the historic India-Pakistan clash, it is still unclear whether Yuvraj Singh will get a chance in the playing XI or not. But former Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin feels that players like MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh are not the same finishers are they one used to be. In Azhar’s view age has taken a toll on both the players.

In January earlier this year, Yuvraj scored a scintillating 150 against England. But since then, the 35-year-old allrounder has not been able to deliver any match-winning innings. He said that the Chandigarh-lad is not conducive to England. But former Australian captain Michael Clarke feels that India should have faith on Yuvi and give him a chance in the line-up.

“They (Dhoni and Singh) can’t be (the same finishers). They have been playing cricket for 14-15 years and playing consistently is not possible. Yuvraj Singh’s game is not conducive to England he hasn’t done so well since that hundred against England earlier this year,” said Azharuddin while speaking to Aaj Tak.

But Clarke, who was also present in the chat show names ‘Salaam Cricket 2017’, contradicted his viewpoint.

According to the former Aussie captain, experience counts in a tournament like this. He said: “I’d go with the two most experienced players in Yuvraj and Dhoni. This is their time to really stand up. You do need the mix of youth and experience in the team. But if I have to pick between Yuvraj and Rahane, I would go with the experienced player. MS Dhoni for me is a no-brainer. You have got to pick him. He was outstanding in the IPL and still capable to win matches for the Indian team.”

Sangakkara heaps praise on MS Dhoni

Another legend present in the show was Kumar Sangakkara. The former Sri Lankan captain feels that he is the backbone of the Indian team. “MS Dhoni has been a bedrock of support for Steve Smith in Rising Pune Supergiant and for Virat Kohli in the Indian team. With MS as a wicket-keeper, he brings so much to the Indian side. His role in his own team in the IPL is also very similar to his role in the Indian team. He’s not the captain anymore in both sides,” said the 39-year old.

The topic on which all the three former captains were on the same page was predicting the semi-finalists of ICC Champions Trophy 2017. All three picked India, South Africa, England and Australia to go into the semis.