Virender Sehwag questions team management, wants MS Dhoni to bat ahead of Hardik Pandya

The in-form Indian cricket team is going by the flexibility theory and believes in shuffling as per match situation and strategy. India have had a good run recently after sealing the series against Australia and New Zealand in ODIs and extending their winning streak to seven consecutive series, which is a record. Recently, it has been noticed that all-rounder Hardik Pandya has got a nod ahead of experienced campaigner MS Dhoni.

Dhoni must be given time to settle down: Sehwag

In the four matches against the Kiwis, Pandya has batted ahead of Dhoni and former Indian opener Virender Sehwag isn’t too pleased with the particular move. Sehwag has shared his views and said that the team management should stick with Pandya lower down the order, at no.6 or 7.

“Pandya should be allowed to bat at his own comfortable position – at no. 6 or no. 7. Instead of Pandya, India should stick with MS Dhoni ahead of him and should allow the senior pro to take his time in the middle to settle in,” Sehwag said during India TV’s “Cricket Ki Baat” show.

Sehwag feels Rajkot T20I could have been won

In the 2nd T20I, Pandya came in to bat at no. 5 while Dhoni batted at no.6 position. The hosts went in to lose the match by a massive margin, considering it is the shortest format of the game and it didn’t look ideal to Sehwag. Dhoni isn’t someone who goes after the bowling from ball one and therefore Sehwag feels it is important for Dhoni to come up and craft his innings and let Pandya bat with the license to go slam-bang.

“In Rajkot, if Dhoni would’ve come ahead of Pandya than he might have built an important partnership with Kohli and it would have changed the outcome of the match,” Sehwag said.