The Indian team revolves around MS Dhoni: Mohammad Kaif

India are undoubtedly one of the favourites to win the 2019 World Cup in England and Wales, starting Thursday, May 30. The Men in Blue are the ICC’s number-two ranked ODI team and will play their first match against South Africa at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. The team has a combination of some youngsters and experienced players, one of them is the evergreen, MS Dhoni.

The 37-year-old had a torrid time in 2018, but he churned out some knocks of substance in the ODI series against Australia, where he racked up three half-centuries on the trot to bag the Player of the Series award. He was also decent enough in the limited-overs series against New Zealand.

In the meantime, Mohammad Kaif, the former Indian cricketer, reckons that the Jharkhand-born Dhoni is a pivotal part of the national team going into the World Cup. He backed his comments putting forth Virat Kohli’s trust on Dhoni and the experience bowlers gain from interacting with him.

“Dhoni has been the key player in this side. He is not the captain, but Virat Kohli trusts Dhoni to help him with decisions in crucial situations. The team revolves around Dhoni, the young bowlers go to Dhoni. The captain, when he is in trouble, he goes to Dhoni.

The current form of Dhoni has been brilliant – the way he played in Australia was great. With Kohli, Dhoni and other players in form, we have a great chance to win the World Cup,” Kaif was quoted as saying in an exclusive interview with Hindustan Times.

Kohli has been the leader India wanted

Kaif was also all praise of Kohli, who has been captaining in all three formats for the last two years after Dhoni passed the leadership baton to the 30-year-old. “Fantastic, I think he has been the leader India wanted, he has been inspiring the players in the squad and the aspiring cricketers. He has been outstanding since he started playing for India,” he added.

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