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India batting coach Sanjay Bangar reveals why MS Dhoni was sent in at No.7 in the WC 2019 semis against NZ
MS Dhoni was sent in to bat at number 7 in the semis of the World Cup 2019, with many believing that the decision is what led India to lose the game. The men in blue had been reduced to 24 for 4, and it was the perfect time for Dhoni to walk in, but that was not the case.
India batting coach Sanjay Bangar has revealed why MS Dhoni was sent in to bat at number 7 in the crucial semi-final of the World Cup 2019 against New Zealand last month. Stating that it was not his decision alone, Bangar went on to add that it had been decided in the team meeting even before the game started.
In the semis, that India lost by 18 runs, the Men in Blue lost their top four wickets for only 24 runs, chasing 240 for a spot in the finals. Many believed that the situation was perfect for Dhoni, as he could anchor the innings, but the former skipper was sent in to bat at number 7, after Dinesh Karthik and Hardik Pandik - who lack the skills to play in swinging conditions. Eventually, India were reduced to 92 for 6, and it took a fine partnership between Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja to take the team close.
However, it was too little too late in the end as India ended up on the losing side. Critics believed that, if Dhoni had been sent earlier, the result could have been different, as he could have moulded his innings to perfection.
"I am really flattered that people are looking at me from this angle because I am not the sole decision-making authority. Believe me, we assess and go through a lot of situations," said Bangar in an interview to Hindustan Times.
"We had also decided that we would have to be flexible in the middle order as far as No. 5, 6 and 7 were concerned because we were looking to maximise the 30-40 over slab," he said.
"And, the individuals were well aware of it. Virat (Kohli) also stated in his press conference after the semi-finals that after the Afghanistan game, it was decided that Dhoni could bat a little lower down (till that point he had batted at No 5), so that he could play post the 35th over as he could accelerate in the death overs and also take care of the lower order with his experience. So, he was slated to bat at No 6 in the semis.
"Dinesh Karthik was promoted to No 5 after consultations in the changing room to stem the fall of wickets and resurrect the innings and leave Dhoni, our most experienced player, to do the finisher's job.
"Ravi Shastri has categorically stated that it was a team decision. So, I fail to understand why this perception that the decision to send Dhoni at No. 7 was solely mine," he added.
Earlier, Shastri had also stated that the decision to send Dhoni at 7 was made by the team management collectively.
"It was a team decision. Everyone was in with it -- and it was a simple decision, too. Last thing you wanted was Dhoni coming out to bat early and getting out -- that would have killed the chase," Shastri had said.
"We needed his experience later. He is the greatest finisher of all times -- and it would have been criminal to not make use of him in that way. The whole team was clear on it," he reasoned.
