MS Dhoni is not just about runs but an entire package: Murali Kartik

Mahendra Singh Dhoni might be going through one of the palest phases of his career but there is no end of words to praise and boost the player. Former cricketers like Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman feel that the man is still a force and can deliver on a big stage like the ICC World Cup in 2019. For the 37-year-old Dhoni who has been known to be one of the best finishers the game has seen, these encouragements will mean a lot ahead of what is being seen as the last big event of his illustrious career.

Dhoni has failed to score a single fifty in the ODIs in 2018 and also found himself getting ignored for India’s T20I squads of late since the selectors have decided to look ahead of the ageing glove-man. The former captain, who gave India two world titles – in 50 and 20 over formats – will play international cricket only again in January when India take on Australia for a three-ODI series Down Under.

Murali Karthik in support

Another former cricketer recently came out to back Dhoni, calling the cricketer an integral part of the team. Speaking in an interview to Firstpost, former spinner Murali Kartik said: “He is an integral part of the team and should be part of the side because of what he adds to the team. Not the sheer volume of runs, it is what he (Dhoni) brings to the side as a senior player. With a great head, a wicket-keeper and everything put together, he is an entire package, not just the runs on the board.” The 42-year-old spinner had played under Dhoni’s leadership in the late 2000s.

Dhoni has been a big asset for current captain Virat Kohli for his inputs from behind the wickets. The veteran, who has been playing for almost 14 years now, is a keen reader of the game and his position as the wicket-keeper also puts him at an advantage of understanding things better than anybody else.

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