ICC World CUP 2019 | India have a genius called Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the team, says Zaheer Abbas

MS Dhoni had led India successfully to the 2011 World Cup after sealing the World T20 in 2007. He also helped India win the Champions Trophy in 2013 and the side has done well as a unit. His captaincy has been impactful and the side has benefitted massively under his astute guidance. Former Pakistan cricketer Zaheer Abbas feels that Dhoni’s presence will be vital for India in the upcoming World Cup.   

"India has a genius called Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the team. He is the brain of cricket in the team. He understands the game so well and has experience of leading India in two WC wins. His experience will be vital for captain and coach and he can be their trump card," Abbas said, reported PTI. 

England is expected to be a batting paradise and the recently concluded series against Pakistan would testify it. Abbas feels that the batting-friendly conditions might see scores of 400 or even 450 above being scored in the tournament. He also reckoned that India’s powerful batting line-up will benefit massively from such conditions.  

"We have seen that in the recently-concluded the Pakisan–England series, that over 300 runs were scored and chased. Now in World Cup, 450 runs could be a possibility as there is no grass on the wickets and bowlers will get little help from the conditions. In such scenario, India will benefit as they have one of the strongest batting line ups. English wickets are now batsmen's paradise,” Abbas added. 

India enter the World Cup with an uncertain No. 4 slot in the batting line-up. The race is now between KL Rahul and World Cup and the subject still remains an open debate. Abbas opines that it is entirely a captain’s call to make on who should bat at the said position and suggested that the top-order should undergo a lot of chop and change.

"It is purely captain's decision but my view is that top four batting order shouldn't be changed frequently. You can make changes in the lower middle order but not at the top," Abbas said.