Lack of opportunities for batsmen worries MS Dhoni

Indian skipper MS Dhoni has voiced his concerns over some of the batsmen not getting an opportunity to bat in the ongoing series against Zimbabwe. An 8-wicket win in the second ODI saw the Indians take an unassailable lead in the ODI series. However, only four Indian batsmen have had the opportunity to bat on the tour thus far. While the bowlers have had their chance to shine, only KL Rahul, Karun Nair, Ambati Rayudu, and Manish Pandey have batted. Even in that, Pandey has faced just the one delivery.

“So far, only three of our top batsmen have got the chance to play. In the batting department we would like to make changes, Dhoni said at the post-match presentation ceremony.”

Talking about the probable changes in the team combination for the last ODI and three T20Is, he said, “We’ll sit and discuss changes for the next game with Sanjay [Bangar].”

“There’s only so much players can do in only one game. We’ll see who can we fit in the T20 squad and maybe we’ll rest one of the bowlers.” Dhoni gave credit to his bowlers for the resounding win. “Our bowlers did a great job to restrict them, I felt they would cross 200 but our spinners got us important breakthroughs,” he said.

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Asked about his catch to dismiss Richmond Mutumbami, MS Dhoni said, “It’s always good to take catches and inside edges are always good to take.” Today’s big win follows India’s nine-wicket victory in the first ODI. “It was a different performance from the first game, slightly different pitch. Some of the shots played in the first 10 overs showed it was coming on to the bat nicely.”

Man of the Match was legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal for returning impressive figures of 3 for 25. “I enjoyed bowling, the wicket was a bit slow. The day before the batsmen was not going after me and was a bit defensive, today they were attacking me so I got wickets,” Chahal, who plays for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League, said.