India’s wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni has been facing a rage ever since his uncharacteristic knock in the 2nd T20I against New Zealand in Rajkot. He walked out to bat at a critical juncture during India’s chase of 197. Virat Kohli was batting well at the other end but Dhoni struggled to get going.
The Kiwis had a set strategy in place against him as Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi tied him up. He was unable to rotate the strike, and Kohli was left at the non-striker’s end more often than not. The required run-rate kept rising and the Indian skipper departed in the hunt for quick runs at the end.
MS Dhoni ended up scoring 49 off 37 balls with 3 sixes but the fireworks came in too late and India lost the match by 40 runs. The likes of VVS Laxman and Ajit Agarkar have voiced their opinions on the future of the Ranchi-lad in the shortest format of the game and they believe it’s time he should step away to give the youngsters a go in the side.
Dhoni can still contribute
But Virender Sehwag and Bhuvneshwar Kumar differed in their verdicts and they believe that Dhoni still can contribute to the side. While Sehwag reckons that he will never block a youngster’s place in the side, Bhuvneshwar feels team India is benefitting with whatever Dhoni is doing.
“Team India needs MS Dhoni at the moment, even in T20 cricket. He will step down at the right time. He will never block the way for any young cricketer,” Sehwag told India TV.
“If you look at his record, nobody (team management) is really bothered. Whatever he has done, he has been doing well, he knows he is a legend. Whatever he is doing, it is benefitting the Indian team. No one has any doubts about him,” Bhuvneshwar told the reporters at the pre-match press conference ahead of the 3rd T20I.