Ravi Shastri feels MS Dhoni at 36 can beat players aged 26

Fitness is the most important aspect of any sport. In the case of cricket, it has become one of the major criteria for selection into the national squad. A player has to pass a certain number of tests to be eligible for selection. This makes it necessary for him to maintain high fitness levels even during off seasons. With the introduction of yo-yo tests, basic parameters have been set without which a player will not be eligible for selection in Team India. It is surprising to see that younger players are finding it difficult to clear the tests while stalwarts like MS Dhoni has aced it.

Ravi Shastri, head coach of the Indian team has backed Mahendra Singh Dhoni at all times. He believes that people have no right to question Dhoni’s ability to perform at the highest level. He brings calmness and tons of experience into the side and that has no parallels. Often, he is the lone warrior battling it out for his team in the middle. While Dhoni’s role has been questioned several times by the critics, he has silenced them with his performances against Sri Lanka in the ODI series.

Dhoni can beat 26-year olds

Speaking to IndiaToday, Shastri said: “We are not stupid. I have been watching this sport for the last 30-40 years. Virat has been a part of this team for a decade now. We know, at this age, he (Dhoni) can beat players aged 26. People who talk, forget that they played the game.”

MS is still one of the fittest players in the team by far. The chairman of selectors, MSK Prasad has also backed MS in the ODI team until the 2019 World Cup.

“If they look at themselves in the mirror and ask the question, ‘what they were at the age of 36?’. Would they have run two runs faster? But the time they finish two, this guy will run three. Then he has won only two World Cups and averages only 51. Till today you don’t have a wicket-keeper to replace him in the one-day team.” Shastri added.

Shastri has also praised the efforts of Virat Kohli who has led his team by example. He has set high standards for the team. Virat has also cited the importance of MS in the playing XI and is often seen taking advice from the former captain in various situations.

The Kohli-Dhoni partnership is getting along really well and the management does not feel the need for any change. The present captain knows that he still has a lot to learn from his predecessor. Team India is set to face South Africa in the much anticipated overseas tour starting January 5.