Is Dhoni indispensable for Twenty 20 format?

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MS Dhoni hasn’t performed well in recent T20I’s. File Pic

Debasis Sen, Kolkata: MS Dhoni’s performance in recent T20I’s hasn’t been quite impressive so as to say. With the next World T20 in 2020, the most talked about topic is whether it make sense for the selectors to persist with the veteran champion in the shortest format or look at an alternative?

Definitely Dhoni will not be any younger as he is already 36 now. The biggest debate will be whether he can evolve himself to the rigours of the T20 format. Whether selectors give young Rishabh Pant a fair chance is questionable as the youngster seems to be low in confidence with a string of mediocre performances with India A teams and also Ranji Trophy. One thing in favour of the Delhi youngster is he has age on his side. Another option would be trying out experienced Dinesh Karthik for the 2020 event. The Tamil Nadu wicket-keeper batsman has a wealth of experience as he has been in circuit for almost 13 years now. KL Rahul could be another batsman in the future.

Simply if we talk about the white ball perspective, Dhoni has a lot to offer in the 50 over game. We have seen this especially in the Sri Lanka series, when he bailed the team out of trouble in more than one ocassion. When it comes to Twenty 20 cricket we have to understand he is not the same player that he was say two years back. With all due respect to Dhoni, he has never been a batsman who would blaze his way through immediately from the first ball. The classic example is the last T20I in Rajkot. When he walked into bat the required run rate for India was 12. Even though he scored a run a ball, in no time the required run rate climbed to 13.5. Subconsciously it was putting pressure on his partner as well.

Motivation has never been a problem with Dhoni. He definitely has the will to change and evolve according to the modern day requirements of the game. One thing about Dhoni is he will not overstay his career but sometimes we must also see if we only leave it to him.

He is a naturally fit athlete and these days he works even harder to stay fit due to the fact that he do not play test match cricket and first class cricket these days.

But the desire to continue is manifested in the kind of work he puts in both on his cricket and in his fitness. Whether he can re-invent his batting at this stage of his career, given how technology has evolved and the approach the team has adopted will be a big question?