ICC World Cup 2019 | Team management should give MS Dhoni and Hardik Pandya license to hit, asserts Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan Singh was a part of the World Cup winning team in 2011 that was led by MS Dhoni and won the ICC trophy for the second time in the tournament’s history. The former India spinner is of the opinion that top-order batsman Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul have the ability to put up a strong total on the board for India in the upcoming World Cup which will start on May 30.

Hence, the CSK spinner opined that Dhoni and Hardik Pandya should be given the license to hit right from the start of their innings against spinners like Mitchell Santner or Nathan Lyon.

"I feel he is at his best when he hits from the onset. Some of his best innings have come when he started the onslaught straightaway. I feel the team management should give him and Hardik Pandya the licence to bat the way they want to. No restrictions, only go for the jugular at No 5.

"That exactly is my point. The Dhoni of the old would hit a six off the second ball off any spinner and those are big sixes. He should and can still do it as I have seen at the CSK nets. Uske chhakkon mein bahot jaan hai (He still hits mighty sixes)," Harbhajan said in a recent interview with TOI.

The former Mumbai Indians cricketer also added that Dhoni’s presence on the pitch is similar to that of Virender Sehwag during the best years of international cricket.

"I can tell you how a bowler's mind works. Suppose I am bowling to Kevin Pietersen and Ian Bell in tandem, I would be more worried about KP than Bell. I could bowl a couple of dot balls to KP but he had the ability to take me on. Bell on the other hand would push for singles. Dhoni like KP can intimidate bowlers. He has that effect," Harbhajan added.

While talking about India’s batting order and the hugely debated number four batting spot, Harbhajan said that there is a bit of concern surrounding the Indian batting line-up ahead of this year’s World Cup.

"I don't see anyone except for KL Rahul fitting into that No. 4 slot. So that's a bit of a worry and also No. 6 slot where Kedar Jadhav will play. I hope that Jadhav gets fully fit before the South Africa game (June 5) as it is a very important slot," Harbhajan concluded.