Spinners will have a huge role to play: MS Dhoni

Indian limited overs skipper MS Dhoni feels that India has the right mix of players to achieve success against West Indies. The former Test skipper, who retired from Test cricket in late 2014, said the spinners will have a huge role to play in the slower tracks of the Caribbean.

“The more the competition better it is. It’s good that finally, we have a pool of 8-10 bowlers who are pushing for selection. If I look at a year back, during an ODI series against South Africa, there were a few bowlers who were injured,” Dhoni told media persons at a promotional event.

Dhoni believes that the Indian bowling unit is a right blend of swing, pace, and spin. “And we have bowlers with all areas covered. If you want pace we have that. If you want the swing, we have that. Of course, we have to be careful about injury management.”

“We have a settled top six batting. There can be one or two new faces but more or less that’s how the mix works. They have also played outside the subcontinent and have the necessary experience,” Dhoni added.

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The wickets in the Windies had slowed down considerably over the years and Dhoni pointed it out. “I think wickets will be slower in West Indies but you never know. I think spinners will have a huge role to play.”

The 35-year old admitted he miss the longest format of the game but is happy that it gave him much more opportunity to spend time with the family. “Obviously, you miss playing Test cricket. But I don’t regret it. Look, for cricketers, it’s a passion or (just) call it a bug that stays with you forever. It never leaves you. That’s why you are all these 40 and 50 plus cricketers who come back for commentary, coaching junior teams.”

“As far as I am concerned, this gives me a chance to spend time with my family,” said Dhoni. “The time away from cricket has given me a lot of time to plan my off-season. I hit the gym more, do a lot of running, taking care of my body. Now, after 30, you need to be careful of your body. In the last 10 years of extensive travelling, I have abused my body a lot.”

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“It’s because of eating habits as it’s more about what you intake that creates a problem. So I have been taking care of my body,” concluded Dhoni.