Virender Sehwag backs Dhoni to come good in T20 format

The former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag has backed MS Dhoni to continue playing in the shortest format of the game. The former Indian captain came under the scanner after the comparatively slow knock he played in the second T20I of the ongoing series against New Zealand in Rajkot. The former cricketers and the fans lashed out at him and advised to hang his boots in T20 format. However, his former team-mate Viru feels that Dhoni has a lot to offer to the team yet and he will step down at the right time.

MS Dhoni came in when the Men in Blue were reeling at 65/4 while chasing a mammoth total of 197 to win the series. He consumed a lot of dot balls compared to his partner Virat Kohli who was looking sublime at the other end. But Dhoni couldn’t get going from the word go which took the equation out of control of the best Indian duo in the middle. Though he managed to hit some colossal maximums they were not enough and India lost the game by 40 runs only to start the debate of his existence in T20I cricket.

India needs Dhoni

Virender Sehwag, apart from his commentary, is a cricket expert on a TV news channel India TV and has come out in support of MS Dhoni during the cricket special show on Monday. “Team India needs MS Dhoni at the moment, even in T20 cricket. He will step down at the right time. He will never block the way for any young cricketer,” he told India TV.

“Dhoni should realise his role in the team. He has to change the momentum early while chasing a strong total. He has to score from ball one and the team management should make him understand this point,” Sehwag added.

However, the former cricketers like VVS Laxman and Ajit Agarkar think that the veteran has nothing to offer to the team in the shortest format and should walk-away.

“In T20s, MS Dhoni’s role is at No 4. He requires more time to get his eye in and then do the job. But today [Saturday] was a classical example because when Virat Kohli was batting, Dhoni had to give strike to Kohli. Kohli’s strike rate was 160, MS Dhoni’s strike rate was 80. That’s not good enough when India were chasing a mammoth total. I still feel it’s time for MS Dhoni to give youngsters a chance in T20 format. It will be an opportunity for a youngster to blossom and get confidence playing international cricket. He is definitely an integral part of ODI cricket,” Laxman said during the post-match show.