India will start as the favourites when they open their campaign against South Africa in the 2019 World Cup on 5th June, 2019. The Virat Kohli led side is well balanced all the three department of the game and the suggestion and on-field tips from former skipper MS Dhoni benefits the team in a big way. Acknowledging the same, team’s head coach Ravi Shastri said that Dhoni will have a massive role in team success at the world cup.
“Massive as it has always been,” Shastri told reporters on the eve of team’s departure for England and Wales for the world cup.
“He is right there, his communication has been fantastic. As a keeper, he has shown over the years that no one is better than him in this format, not just in taking catches, inflicting those run-outs or stumping. These are little moments in the game that can change it on the head and there was no one better than him,” Shastri added.
In the 2019 season, Dhoni roared back into form as he scored three consecutive half centuries in the ODI series against Australia and became the man of the series for his impressive form with the bat. His run of form continued in the recently concluded IPL where he was the leading run scorer for his franchise Chennai Super Kings.
“It is great to see the way he was moving in the IPL, especially when he was batting. The footwork, the power with which he was hitting the shots, he will be a big player in this World Cup,” Shastri said.
Shastri further mentioned that India needs to be flexible as overcast conditions could change quickly in United Kingdom that is enough to change the complexion of the game.
“In no other country, overcast conditions matter so much. London might not make that difference, but if you go up north and it does get overcast then you will see things happen. We have to be ready for that and prepare to be flexible,” Shastri mentioned.
(Picture credits: The Hindu)
