ICC World Cup 2019 | We will consider MS Dhoni's selection if we have to, says Kane Williamson

SportsCafe Desk

BySportsCafe Desk,SportsCafe Editor

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Kane Williamson has backed MS Dhoni's batting by saying that New Zealand would pick him in their lineup if he chooses to switch nationalities. Despite almost pulling off an improbable win for India in the semi-final, the former captain has continued to receive criticism for his slow-paced innings.

When Dhoni walked into bat in the semi-final against New Zealand, India had lost five frontline batsmen with the score at 71 in the 23rd over, the team was almost beaten. Whatever hope remained rested almost entirely on Dhoni’s shoulders, regarded by many as the greatest finisher the game has ever seen. But, Dhoni hasn’t played that way for at least a year now. He is facing severe criticism over the last six months and particularly at this World Cup. His strike rate of 87.7 reads fine but several slow innings have hampered India’s progress, according to many.

Adding fuel to the fire, in some ways, Dhoni failed to pull off what was already an improbable task. However, this time, even the opposition captain was not spared the question about Dhoni’s place in the side at the post-match press conference. But, Williamson backed former India skipper Dhoni when he was asked about the same. 

"He is not eligible to play for New Zealand. Is he looking to change nationalities? Because we will consider that selection if we have to! He’s a world-class player. Had I been the India captain? Yeah, his experience at his level and in these occasions is so important and his contribution today and yesterday, but throughout this campaign, it was extremely, extremely important. That partnership he was involved in with Jadeja who came in and hit the ball better than anybody in both teams was very, very valuable and he’s a world-class cricketer," Williamson said, reported IndiaToday.

The victorious Kiwi skipper did not stop there. He went on to praise the World Cup-winning skipper's ability to pull the team out of trouble from numerous situations in the past and rightly noted that his run out proved to be the difference in the end.

"We all know the game is a fine line in a number of ways. But that run out was significant. We have seen Dhoni finish games from those similar positions on a number of occasions. It was a tough surface so nothing promised but naturally to dismiss Dhoni in whatever fashion is extremely important, but for a direct hit run-out very similar to Jadeja's I think was a big moment in the game," Williamson added.

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