Selectors named India’s T20 squad that will face West Indies and Australia down under last week. However, the exclusion of veteran MS Dhoni draw criticism and the selectors were on the radar of the fans. It has been revealed that selectors want some youngster to step in and fill the void of second keeper as Dhoni won’t be available to play in the 2020 World T20.
The exclusion from T20 squad meant that Dhoni’s T20 career is certainly over and we won’t see him play in coloured clothes in the shortest format of the game ever. His ousted was also a sign that he may get sidelined from 2019 cricket world cup, considering selectors showing more faith in Rishabh Pant.
Meanwhile, former India batsman Sunil Gavaskar has opined that Dhoni is must for India in the world cup if the men in blue stand any chance of winning the marquee event. It is a known fact that Dhoni’s form with the bat has dipped considerably but he is an asset to the team with his crucial tactics, experience and guiding the bowlers with their field position.
Dhoni is must for India in 2019 world cup says Sunil Gavaskar
“Virat needs him(Dhoni). There’s no doubt about it. In 50 overs where there is that much more time, that’s when MSD comes into play. You know he makes those small field adjustments, talking to the bowlers in Hindi – telling them where to bowl and what to bowl. It’s a huge plus for Virat,” Gavaskar said during pre match show of Star Sports.
Talking about Dhoni’s exclusion from T20 squad, Gavaskar said that Virat has other options in Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane to guide him in crunch situations.
“MSD is an absolute must for the 2019 World Cup. But having said that, I believe, the way Rohit Sharma has come to the party as a captain, as a thinker, as a planner. He has been brilliant. With Rohit coming in and also Ajinkya Rahane, Virat has a couple more shoulders to lean on. Therefore, I think this [is a] move to have MS Dhoni take a break from T20I cricket,” he said.
