ICC World Cup 2019 | MS Dhoni readymade for number four, says Krishnamachari Srikkanth

India’s squad for the World Cup starting May 30 was announced on April 15 and Vijay Shankar pipped Ambati Rayudu and Rishabh Pant for the number four slot. MS Dhoni, on the other hand, has not been looked as an option for the crucial spot despite possessing a fine record at the position. At number four, the wicket-keeper batsman has scored 12 fifties and a hundred in 30 innings at an average and strike rate of 56.58 and 92.82 respectively. Thereby, Krishnamachari Srikkanth feels that there is no better option than Dhoni for the slot. 

"For long, the number four position has been much debated and frankly, I think too much has been made about that. In my opinion, India has a readymade number four in MS Dhoni. I don't think there is anyone better suited for that slot than the former skipper himself and why he has not been allowed to bat there consistently remains a mystery," he wrote, reported TOI.

Dhoni had smashed three consecutive fifties in as many matches against Australia and was also awarded the Man of the Match Series. Even in the ongoing Indian Premier League, he has been the highest run-scorer for Chennai Super Kings with 358 runs at an astonishing average and strike rate of 119.33 and 142.62 respectively. Srikkanth felt that the former India captain will be the man to carry around the team.

"Given the manner in which Dhoni played in Australia and in the ongoing IPL, there is no doubt that he has some quality left in the tank. Of course, the attacks that Dhoni will come up against in the World Cup will pose sterner tests, but that does not mean he can't carry the team around," expressed the 59-year-old.

In the recent times, Dhoni has taken time to set his eyes before going for the big shots. However, once he gets going, there is still no stopping him, as pointed out by the 1983 World Cup winner.

"It goes without saying that Dhoni's lack of instant firepower was held against him, but in 50-over cricket, one has enough time to pace his innings. No one bats with a better vision in ODI cricket than Dhoni. Once he has his engines cranked, Dhoni is one of the toughest batsmen to bowl to. Mixing caution with aggression is his biggest strength, especially when his team is chasing. Agreed his strike rate might have come down a touch, but that is only in keeping with the situation in hand," he concluded.