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Gautam Gambhir on MS Dhoni: He had wanted younger players when he was captain; time to look into future
Gambhir gave examples of how Dhoni, when he was the captain, had removed senior players from the team to introduce younger players. The former player wants Team India to follow the same principle and make a team for the future.
Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir believes that it is the right time for MS Dhobi to step down and to groom players for the future. With India losing in the semis of the World Cup 2019, Gambhir feels that it is the right time to give players an extended run in the middle order, so that the side can have a solid batting line-up for the next World Cup in 2023.
India has been struggling with a number 4 batsman for a while now, and another position that is up for grabs is the wicket-keeper's slot, which will be vacant after MS Dhoni hangs up his boots.
“It’s time to groom the youngsters. Be it Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan or any other wicket-keeper, whoever is believed to have the potential should be made the wicket-keeper.
“Give him chances for one and half-years and if he doesn’t perform, then others should be tried out as well. Then one would get to know who the keeper for the next World Cup is,” Gambhir was quoted as saying.
Commenting on the future of Dhoni, Gambhir emphasized on the need to look into the future. He also gave Dhoni's examples of introducing young players over senior pros in the team when the latter was the captain, and wanted Virat Kohli to be as bold as Dhoni had been.
“It’s important to look into the future. And when Dhoni was the skipper, he invested in the future. I remember Dhoni saying in Australia that me, Sachin [Tendulkar] and [Virender] Sehwag can’t play the CB [Commonwealth] series together as the grounds were big. He wished for young players for the World Cup. It’s necessary to take practical decisions than being emotional,” Gambhir added.
