There is no replacement for MS Dhoni in limited overs, says former selector

Former India selector Pranab Roy recently recollected his memories of selecting Indian limited-overs skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the national team. Dhoni was picked up for India’s tour to Bangladesh in 2004 ahead of Parthiv Patel and Dinesh Karthik on the tour. A scene from MS Dhoni’s recent biopic release showed the same as well. Roy spoke on how Dhoni has grown from strength to strength in his career thus far. He went on to say that selecting Dhoni was his best decision ever.

Remembering the moment, Pranab Roy said that other keepers like Deep Das Gupta and Parthiv Patel were also in the frame. However, discussions eventually zeroed on Dhoni. He added that they wanted to give some relief to Rahul Dravid too. Dravid had been donning the wicket-keeping gloves for a long time.

“Actually, there was two other names too that were discussed. Deep Das Gupta and Parthiv Patel. But the selectors stuck with Dhoni. Rahul Dravid had already carried on the role of a wicket-keeper batsman for a long time, thus we went with Dhoni,” quoted the former selector.

He further pointed out that Dinesh Karthik and Parthiv Patel are class players too. But Dhoni was at the top of his game at that time and hence was picked ahead of all. “Definitely, Karthik and Parthiv are terrific cricketers and that is why they are still playing and doing well. But Dhoni’s case is different. He was much above the rest of the wicket-keepers in India at that time. Every match he was doing well. That’s why he was given a chance and he proved that he was better,” pointed Pranab Roy.

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He believes that the decision was perhaps the best he ever made. “Probably, the decision to back him during the selection (in 2004) is the best I have made as a selector,” he quoted. Certainly true, one would want to believe. Dhoni went on to be a legend of the game. He is still leading the national side in limited overs.

Roy was quick to brush away all speculations surrounding his captaincy. He believes that MS Dhoni is mature player and knows exactly when to hand over the captaincy to Virat Kohli. He said that there is no replacement for Dhoni in the limited overs at the moment. “At the moment, there is no replacement for Dhoni in limited overs. He is too good a player and a leader. There is no need to think of changing captaincy. Dhoni knows when to hand the baton to Kohli,” said Roy.