INDIA vs NEW ZEALAND 3rd T20 2017
- 6 years ago
Even though he scored 49 runs from 37 balls against New Zealand in the second T20 in Rajkot, MS Dhoni was once again the centre of attention as he couldn’t take the side over the winning hurdle to see the hosts fall short by 40 runs. Former India cricketers VVS Laxman and Ajit Agarkar both have called for a change in the shortest format. The concern shared by most has been his inability to rotate strike when coming in at No. 6 leading to question marks over where he could be employed in the series decider.
“I think India must now look at other options, at least in T20Is. In one-day cricket, they seem to be happy with the role that he is playing. When you were the captain of the side, it was different. But just as a batsman, will India miss superb length made it hard for Indian batsmen to hit: Mitchell Santner
Even though he scored 49 runs from 37 balls against New Zealand in the second T20 in Rajkot, MS Dhoni was once again the centre of attention as he couldn’t take the side over the winning hurdle to see the hosts fall short by 40 runs. Former India cricketers VVS Laxman and Ajit Agarkar both have called for a change in the shortest format. The concern shared by most has been his inability to rotate strike when coming in at No. 6 leading to question marks over where he could be employed in the series decider.
“I think India must now look at other options, at least in T20Is. In one-day cricket, they seem to be happy with the role that he is playing. When you were the captain of the side, it was different. But just as a batsman, will India miss him, I don’t think so. In T20 cricket, it is lot easier to make that transition as there is lot of experience in that team apart from MS Dhoni now,” Agarkar said to ESPNCricinfo.
“You had a chance (in the second T20 against New Zealand) if he (Dhoni) had got going immediately but that has been his problem for a while now. It’s not tonight or over the last few games. He takes a little bit of time to settle down and in twenty 20 cricket, there is no time,” he stated. “I heard people say that he should bat at different number, but he came into bat in the 10th over in this match. How many times you get to bat 10 overs in T20 cricket and in my opinion, there was enough time,” Agarkar added.
Laxman emphasised that Dhoni should stick with ODI cricket while youngsters should be employed in T20s. “In T20s, MS Dhoni’s role is at No 4. He requires more time to get his eye in and then do the job. But today [Saturday] was a classical example because when Virat Kohli was batting, Dhoni had to give strike to Kohli. Kohli’s strike rate was 160, MS Dhoni’s strike rate was 80. That’s not good enough when India were chasing a mammoth total,” Laxman said to NDTV. “I still feel it’s time for MS Dhoni to give youngsters a chance in T20 format. It will be an opportunity for a youngster to blossom and get confidence playing international cricket. He is definitely an integral part of ODI cricket,” he added.
Dhoni’s inning in Rajkot saw 26 runs coming from five balls in boundaries – three sixes and two fours –
“I think India must now look at other options, at least in T20Is. In one-day cricket, they seem to be happy with the role that he is playing. When you were the captain of the side, it was different. But just as a batsman, will India miss superb length made it hard for Indian batsmen to hit: Mitchell Santner
Even though he scored 49 runs from 37 balls against New Zealand in the second T20 in Rajkot, MS Dhoni was once again the centre of attention as he couldn’t take the side over the winning hurdle to see the hosts fall short by 40 runs. Former India cricketers VVS Laxman and Ajit Agarkar both have called for a change in the shortest format. The concern shared by most has been his inability to rotate strike when coming in at No. 6 leading to question marks over where he could be employed in the series decider.
“I think India must now look at other options, at least in T20Is. In one-day cricket, they seem to be happy with the role that he is playing. When you were the captain of the side, it was different. But just as a batsman, will India miss him, I don’t think so. In T20 cricket, it is lot easier to make that transition as there is lot of experience in that team apart from MS Dhoni now,” Agarkar said to ESPNCricinfo.
“You had a chance (in the second T20 against New Zealand) if he (Dhoni) had got going immediately but that has been his problem for a while now. It’s not tonight or over the last few games. He takes a little bit of time to settle down and in twenty 20 cricket, there is no time,” he stated. “I heard people say that he should bat at different number, but he came into bat in the 10th over in this match. How many times you get to bat 10 overs in T20 cricket and in my opinion, there was enough time,” Agarkar added.
Laxman emphasised that Dhoni should stick with ODI cricket while youngsters should be employed in T20s. “In T20s, MS Dhoni’s role is at No 4. He requires more time to get his eye in and then do the job. But today [Saturday] was a classical example because when Virat Kohli was batting, Dhoni had to give strike to Kohli. Kohli’s strike rate was 160, MS Dhoni’s strike rate was 80. That’s not good enough when India were chasing a mammoth total,” Laxman said to NDTV. “I still feel it’s time for MS Dhoni to give youngsters a chance in T20 format. It will be an opportunity for a youngster to blossom and get confidence playing international cricket. He is definitely an integral part of ODI cricket,” he added.
Dhoni’s inning in Rajkot saw 26 runs coming from five balls in boundaries – three sixes and two fours –