XtraTime Web Desk: Former Australian leg spinner Shane Warne trashed MS Dhoni critics and said India need their veteran wicketkeeper- batsman’s contribution in the upcoming 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup. Dhoni is the only skipper to win all the ICC events, he bounced back strongly after a disappointing season in 2018. He scored three half centuries in Australia.
Dhoni also played a very crucial knock in the first ODI against Australia but he failed to score big runs his hometown Ranchi while chasing 300 plus runs.
Dhoni’s absence exposed the drawbacks in Indian batting line up. Pant was under pressure after he missed a few stumping chances. The crowd started to chant Dhoni, Dhoni and also urged Kohli to bring back the veteran wicket keeper behind the stumps.
But there are several others who feel Dhoni could be a liability in the World Cup because of his dwindling skills with the bat. Warne said Dhoni’s critics had no idea what they are talking about.
“MS Dhoni is a great player. He can bat anywhere whatever the team needs. He is adaptable and anyone criticising him has no idea what they’re talking about. India need him in the World Cup. They need his experience and leadership skills on field to help Virat Kohli as well,” Warne said in New Delhi on Tuesday.
Former India captain Bishan Singh Bedi said Kohli looked rough as a skipper in Dhoni’s absence. Warne said Kohli is a terrific leader but he needed Dhoni’s experience around him.
“Virat Kohli is a terrific leader but many a time we can have experience of MS Dhoni to help Virat when pressure is on. It’s easy to captain a side when things are going well but when it’s tough you need experience like you saw in MS Dhoni,” he said.
Shane Warne believed India and England would be the pre-tournament favourites but said he was hopeful Australia would defend the world title because they were peaking at the right time in India.
“The World Cup is very close. I think India and England will go in as favourites because of the cricket they played in the last 6-12 months…I believe Australia win the World Cup as they’re peaking up at right time but I think India and England are going in as the favourites,” he said.