Gautam Gambhir Believes MS Dhoni Would Have Broken Many Records Batting At No. 3 Had He Not Captained India

When asked if MS Dhoni batted higher up the order, Gautam Gambhir said: "Probably world cricket has missed one thing and that is MS didn't bat at No.3."

Photo: AFP

New Delhi: The run-machine of the Indian cricket team Virat Kohli is considered as the master of run-chases, but no one can deny the fact that the former captain MS Dhoni is remembered as one of the best finishers in the game. Asked to pick one between the two to chase down targets, while Gautam Gambhir picked Dhoni, Irfan Pathan stood with current captain Kohli (provided they both batted at the same position). Speaking on Star Sports show Cricket Connected, Gambhir said: "It's very difficult to compare both of them because one bats at No.3, one bats at No.6 or 7." When asked if Dhoni batted higher up the order, Gambhir said: "Probably world cricket has missed one thing and that is MS didn't bat at No.3. Had MS not captained India and batted at No.3, probably world cricket would have seen a completely different player, probably he could have got many more runs, he would have broken many more records. He would have been the most exciting cricketer in the world, had he not captained India and had he batted at No.3." Begging to differ, Pathan said: "But MS had all the chance to bat at No.3, he didn't. Look, I really believe that if you compare Virat and Dhoni batting at No. 3, I still feel Virat has a better technique. There's nothing that I am taking away from Dhoni, obviously, he has been an absolute legend of the game. Everyone has their own opinion. I will still take Virat any day." Gambhir though stood his ground and said: "Probably I would have taken Dhoni. Dhoni batting at No.3 on flat wickets, with the quality of bowling attack now in world cricket. Look at Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, West Indies, in the current situation, with the kind of quality in international cricket there is, Dhoni would have probably broken most of the records."