Legendary Indian batsman Sunil Gavaskar feels that former skipper MS Dhoni is an ‘absolute must’ in the Indian team for the 2019 ODI World Cup. The veteran also believes that having an experienced wicket-keeper batsman in the squad can highly benefit Captain Virat Kohli.
According to Sunil Gavaskar, these are the qualities that make Dhoni such an invaluable member of the side. Speaking during an analysis on Star Sports, he said, “Virat needs (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.”
While Dhoni has been omitted from the T20I squad that will face the Windies and Australia next month, selectors have maintained that the 37-year-old has only been rested. Indeed Virat Kohli will have a set of experienced campaigners to help him out in terms of advice on the field, but Gavaskar insists that Dhoni brings a lot more to the table and his presence in next year’s mega event is vital.
“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.