Internet Desk: Former India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni is in form of his life since the Sri Lanka tour. In the first ODI against Australia on Sunday in Chennai he saved the Men in Blue again along with Hardik Pandya when the hosts were in deep trouble. His knock of 79 runs was one of his best knocks of all-time in pressure situations. Former Australian skipper Micheal Clarke thinks with this kind of form Dhoni will not only play the 2019 World Cup, but also he will feature in 2023 World Cup too.
“Don’t ask me whether he will play in the 2019 World Cup. He will play in 2023,” said Clarke while talking to the media.
After drawing the two-match Test series in Bangladesh, Smith’s captainship is under scanner in the limited-overs series against India in which Australia is trailing by 0-1.
Australia had the series opener in Chennai firmly in control with India reeling at 87 for five before MS Dhoni and Hardik Pandya turned it around with a century partnership en route to a 26-run win via D/L method.
“It’s high time that Australia make a comeback. I think this is the match that will decide the course of the series,” he said of the Eden second one-dayer on September 21.
Clarke was here to present Don Bradman’s bat, that the legend used in India’s first tour of Australia in 1948, to the Fanattic Sports Museum.
Talking about the Indian team, the cricketer-turned-commentator praised chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav.
“He is an attacking bowler. His control as a wrist spinner from the back of his hand is amazing and is his strength. He has got all the skills, spins both ways, bowls long spells. He did well in the Test series.”
Clarke further said David Warner will be back amongst the run after missing out in Chennai.
“He got centuries in Bangladesh… It is hard to overlook him by seeing his performance in one game.
“He will find ways to score, he always does. He will have lot of impact in the series. He and Smith will be the leading scorers for Australia in the series. Hopefully, they start scoring from Kolkata.”