They have no idea what they are talking about: Shane Warne on MS Dhoni's critics
"He can bat anywhere whatever the team needs."
Veteran India wicket-keeper-batsman MS Dhoni saw the mood titled heavily in his favour after his replacement in the fourth ODI against Australia in Mohali- Rishabh Pant- failed abjectly behind the stumps. There was a strong call to bring back Dhoni into the side even though he has been rested for the final two ODIs against the Aussies.
However, former Australia spinner Shane Warne still felt that India required the ace cricketer’s service in the upcoming World Cup although he had a lean form with the bat till the three-ODI series in Australia in January. After seeing a dry run for the entire 2018, Dhoni came under the scanner and a section was feeling apprehensive over the aging cricketer’s participation in the WC.
However, Dhoni buried all doubts by smashing three back-to-back fifties Down Under to win the Man of the Series award and then hit the fourth consecutive ODI half-century in Hyderabad as India pulled off a remarkable victory despite losing wickets early on in a chase of 230-odd. Dhoni, however, fell for a golden duck in the second game in Nagpur, a ground where he otherwise has rich exploits.
Australia picking up at right moment, feels Warne
Dhoni’s absence in Mohali exposed inexperience behind the stumps as Pant was keeping in his first ODI and was found to be far from prepared to absorb the pressure. He missed a couple of crucial dismissals allowing the Australian batsmen to successfully chase down a target of 359 comfortably.
“MS Dhoni is a great player. He can bat anywhere whatever the team needs. He is adaptable and anyone criticising him has no idea what they’re talking about. India need him in the World Cup. They need his experience and leadership skills on field to help Virat Kohli as well,” Warne, a member of three World Cup squads, was quoted as saying by India Today in New Delhi on Tuesday.
Warne also said that though India and England are pre-tournament favourites in the WC, he felt Australia are picking up at the right time and was hopeful about the yellow jerseys successfully defending their 2015 title.
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