Virender Sehwag feels Team India still needs MS Dhoni

After India succumbed to a 40-run defeat in the second T20I in Rajkot, Mahendra Singh Dhoni has come under huge criticism for his sloppy display in the second innings that took the required run rate beyond India’s reach and eventually led to the loss.

Though it has forced some former cricketers like VVS Laxman and Ajit Agarkar to raise questions about Dhoni’s place in the team, Virender Sehwag feels that the World Cup winner still has a lot to offer to the side.

“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," Sehwag said.

However, Sehwag also believes that the approach needs to be changed and the team management should clarify, to the former captain, his role when he comes on to bat. The former explosive batsman also advised Dhoni not to take much time to get settled in the middle, when chasing a big total.

"Dhoni should realize 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," he added.

Dhoni scored a decent 49 runs off 37 balls last game when India were chasing a target of 197, but while he scored 26 runs in boundaries from five deliveries (3x6, 2x4), he managed just 23 runs from the remaining 32 deliveries.

The series is currently levelled at 1-1 as New Zealand are yet again in a position where the can clinch the series in the last game, although the decider in Thiruvananthapuram has apprehensions of a washout.