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Indian Team currently has no viable alternative to MS Dhoni, says Sanjay Jagdale
Former BCCI secretary Sanjay Jagdale backed Dhoni to carry on as long as he wants until the team finds a viable alternative for him. Here is what he had to say
Former BCCI secretary Sanjay Jagdale has asked the MSK Prasad-led selection panel to find out exactly as to what was going in MS Dhoni's mind. He said that MS Dhoni was mature enough to take a call on his retirement from limited overs cricket. In the recent past, the veteran wicket-keeper batsman has been criticized for his slow knocks and his inability to finish innings with the bat on a consistent basis. The fate of Dhoni would be the matter of discussion when the committee meets in Mumbai for selecting the squad for the tour to West Indies on Sunday.
"Dhoni is a great player and had always selflessly played for India. In my opinion, the Indian team currently has no viable alternative to Dhoni as wicketkeeper batsmen," the former BCCI secretary said.
"Dhoni is mature enough to take a decision on his retirement. But the selectors should meet him to find out what is going on in his mind about his professional future as was done in the case of Sachin Tendulkar before his retirement. The selectors should also inform Dhoni in what capacity they want to see him in the future."
While many criticized Dhoni for his slow knocks in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, the former BCCI secretary backed him in this regard.
"Dhoni played in the World Cup as per the team's requirement. In the semi-final also he was batting as per the same strategy but unfortunately he got run out at a crucial moment. It is not expected from a 38-year-old player to play with the same energy and vigor that he displayed in his prime days."
"Even those players are criticizing him who have not played well in their career. However, only true players know Dhoni's worth."
Jagdale also wanted Rishabh Pant to be groomed under MS Dhoni. He said, "Before the World Cup, Pant should have been included in the ODI team alongside Dhoni as Pant could have learned from him."
Eventually, the explosive batsmen from Delhi was drafted into the World Cup squad for injured Shikhar Dhawan.
