ICC World Cup 2019 | Would have been criminal to send MS Dhoni up, says Ravi Shastri

India’s shocking exit from the World Cup had everyone questioning the management’s decision concerning MS Dhoni’s batting position after the former skipper came too near yet too far to finish off the most important match of his career.

However, contrary to popular belief, Shastri has stated that delaying MS Dhoni was a team decision after India’s four top-order batsmen were sent for just 24 runs inside the first 10 overs. Eventually, India fell 18 runs short as Dhoni was run out to an immaculate Martin Guptill throw.

"It was a team decision. Everyone was in with it -- and it was a simple decision, too. Last thing you wanted was Dhoni coming out to bat early and getting out -- that would have killed the chase," said Shastri, reported IANS.

"We needed his experience later. He is the greatest finisher of all times -- and it would have been criminal to not make use of him in that way. The whole team was clear on it," Shastri reasoned.

Despite India playing exceptionally well in the league stages and winning most matches comprehensively, India’s middle-order always lacked depth and in the end was their Achilles Heel. Shastri blamed the repeated injuries to Dhawan and Shankar for it. 

"In hindsight, yes, we did need a solid batsman out there in the middle order. But now, that's something for the future. That's a position that was always giving us problems, but we just couldn't nail it. (KL) Rahul was there but then Shikhar Dhawan got injured. Then Vijay Shankar was there, and he got injured. We just couldn't control it," he said.