World Cup 2019: Wish the India management asks MS Dhoni to maintain a run-a-ball start, says Sanjay Manjrekar

MS Dhoni has recently been a recipient of flak for the approach he has taken while batting. On June 30, India lost to hosts England by 31 runs at the Edgbaston in Birmingham. Dhoni came to bat when India needed 111 runs off 65 deliveries. However, he didn’t quite try to take on the English bowling lineup. Eventually, the veteran remained not out on 42 off 31, but the Men in Blue fell short.

Even after his knock against Afghanistan, he was criticised for not showing enough intent in the middle order. Sachin Tendulkar, the former Indian cricketer, said that he could’ve played the spinners more effectively. After Sunday’s inning, Sanjay Manjrekar, another retired Indian batter, said that Dhoni should be told to play at least at a run-a-ball in order to keep the scoreboard moving.

Manjrekar’s piece of advice for MS Dhoni

“I wish that team management tells Dhoni to maintain run-a-ball start and then see how it goes. I love Dhoni best when he has gone in to bat like the warm-up matches. I like when he scores 30 runs from 30 balls. If the team is 12/2, then I can understand his approach of defence. Once he is in around 20-22 overs, then he should look to play run-a-ball,” Manjrekar was quoted as saying in Business Standard.

Meanwhile, prior to its penultimate league match versus Mashrafe Mortaza’s Bangladesh on July 2 in Birmingham, India has lost all-rounder Vijay Shankar. The 28-year-old missed the last game owing to a toe niggle and he has now been ruled out of the mega event. Mayank Agarwal, who made his international debut last year, has been roped-in as Shankar’s replacement.

Manjrekar felt for Shankar but also reckoned that Agarwal can be a great value addition to the Indian setup with the crunch games coming up. “In fact, India has not got as many injuries. Look at England with the injury problems they are having. Bumrah and Shami are fit. You have to feel for Vijay Shankar but I am delighted for Mayank Agarwal. He would be a very good addition in the Indian lineup,” he added.