Mahendra Singh Dhoni is precious for India: Sourav Ganguly

Former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly believes that the wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni is absolutely precious for Indian cricket. Dhoni played his landmark 300th One-Day International during the 4th ODI against Sri Lanka. He scored 49* and continued his excellent form in the series and remained unbeaten for the consecutive third time in the series.

The former captain has come back in form and has played match saving knocks in the second and third ODIs. Dhoni is also on the verge of becoming the first wicketkeeper to effect 100 stumpings in International cricket. Ganguly though also stressed on the fact that the stalwart needs to perform against the better sides as Sri Lanka is struggling even to compete.

Ganguly was all praise of the wicketkeeper-batsman in his column for The Times of India. “Three hundred matches is a lot and longevity is a yardstick for achieving greatness and excellence. He was put under the test before the series. Such players should never be put under the test and one must remember that in spite of being under pressure, his vast experience will see him through against such sides and he did exactly that,” he wrote.

He was also of the opinion that it would not be correct to ask Dhoni to call it a day as he has served India for so long and still has so much cricket left in him.

“Such players who have contributed to their country so immensely just can’t be asked to go one fine day because they will keep proving people wrong. Dhoni’s real challenge will be when he starts playing better sides and, hopefully, he will raise the bar then too,” the member of Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) added.

Virat Kohli has a great work ethic

Dada also hailed the Indian skipper Virat Kohli for his leadership and lauded his dedication towards the game. “What impressed me most was how he dominated the innings and the intensity with which he batted. Yes, people may point out the quality of the attack, but to score big runs and that too a hundred is never easy and Virat did it with ease,” he wrote.

“He has a good mind and technique and, along with that, he has a great work ethic and the enormous desire to succeed which is a dangerous combination. He has raised the expectations from this team amongst all Indians,” Ganguly signed off.