ICC World Cup 2019 | MS Dhoni crucially important to the Indian team, states Michael Hussey
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Michael Hussey was all praise for MS Dhoni as he labelled him to be a key player for India in their ongoing World Cup campaign. He discussed his style of play and his innings against Afghanistan in some detail, before talking about the role Indian spinners will have to play in the upcoming matches.
With the experience of 500-plus international matches, more than 300 of those coming as the captain across all three formats, Dhoni’s formidable presence in itself is a huge advantage for any team in the world. Add to it his 10,000-plus runs in the fifty over format at an average over fifty, Dhoni is as good a player a team can get in a tournament like the World Cup.
However, the veteran wicket keeper was severely criticized by many for his slow innings against Afghanistan that almost cost India dearly. However, Michael Hussey does not read too much into it as he analyzed Dhoni’s game style having spent quite some time playing under his captaincy for the Chennai Super Kings.Â
“I think he (Dhoni) is crucially important to this Indian team. It's difficult coming in and trying to bat against these mystery spinners, rotate the strike, it is challenging. You are not sure which way the ball is turning. On a slow pitch, it makes pretty tough for batting. The other batsman (Kedar Jadhav) was also struggling to rotate strike . So I wouldn't be stressing too much on it,” Hussey said in an interview, reported TOI. "Dhoni plays the fast bowlers early in the Innings, he can rotate them a little-bit easier. I think game against Afghanistan was one of the trickier games for someone like MS," he added.
India is the only unbeaten side so far in the World Cup and has excelled in all departments so far. The bowlers have hunted in packs, with Yuzvendra CHahal leading the charts for the country with eight scalps. In Chahal and Kuldeep, India has one of the most unique and versatile bowling pairs and the pair has been tremendously successful so far. In fact, they have been India’s best bowling duo since the end of the 2017 Champions Trophy.Â
“Looking at the Indian team, they are wonderfully balanced team. They have got all bases covered well and towards the back end of the tournament as the pitches (are) going to be dry and more used the spinners would get to play more role," Hussey said. "And that is where India have got a big advantage over many other teams They have got two quality wrist spinners (Kuldeep and Chahal), who can be match-winners India are brilliantly placed at the moment, they have got a lot of fire power in different departments and I expect them to certainly get to the semi-finals and possibly the final,” the Australian concluded on the matter.
