Mahendra Singh Dhoni is in Kashmir, Backs Virat Kohli over Lack of Preparations Comment
Dec 12, 2017 at 1:03 PM
Former Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni who was the chief guest of the cricket tournament organized by the Chinar Corps of the Army based-out in Srinagar, the summer capital of Srinagar revealed to the media reports that it’s more than a sport when arch-rivals India-Pakistan face-off particularly in the gentleman’s game.
“When it comes to India-Pakistan cricket, it is not just sports, but becomes much bigger than that. It is not a simple decision, but a diplomatic and a political decision,” Dhoni was quoted as saying by PTI.
The gloveman Dhoni witnessed the final of the Chinar Cricket Premier League (CCPL) in Kunzer area of Pattan, in the northern part of Kashmir.
Having the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in Army which was conferred to him in 2011, Dhoni has further paid a visit to far off areas in the Kashmir region before reflecting on the India-Pakistan cricketing ties.
The right-handed batsman Dhoni stated Government of India (GoI) is in the best state to reflect on the matter.
Virat Kohli Hits Out at BCCI:
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Earlier, Indian skipper has lashed out at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for the cramping schedule which has left no time for the Team India to prepare for the challenging series against South Africa which is scheduled to kick off on January 5 at the Cape Town.
Adamant in approach, Kohli earlier remarked the lack of preparation time has forced him to ask for the bouncy tracks during the ongoing series against Sri Lanka.
“Yes, because unfortunately, we get only two days before we fly to South Africa after this series gets over. So we have no choice but try to be in a game situation and think of what’s coming ahead of us,” Kohli revealed before the start of the ongoing second Test in Nagpur on November 23.
Kohli further made it clear by saying they would like to redress the issue, before overseas tours.
“As usual cramped for time, which I think we needed to assess in future as well,” Kohli asserted during the press confidence prior to the Nagpur Test.
Interestingly, as the Sri Lanka series will be concluding with the Twenty20 International fixture on December 24, the hosts in the form of India would be flying to South Africa for the three-Test, six One-day Internationals and Three T20Is.
MS Dhoni back Kohli for South Africa for the lack of preparation time:
Dhoni, who has always lent a helping hand to Virat Kohli, has further backed his successor while echoing the words of modern-day batting star about the tough challenge against the South Africa while will be beginning in the first month of 2018.
“This time when the (Test) team leaves for South Africa, they will only get some time to prepare before playing the matches,” Dhoni maintained.
While speaking on the sidelines at Kunzer cricket ground, Dhoni reiterated the team is supposed to require enough time for such tours, in a bid to acclimatize to such conditions.
“It takes some time to get used to, but if you see this team, there are many cricketers who have played overseas and it helps a lot,” Dhoni remarked in response to Kohli’s comment set as an example by one of the reporters.
As Dhoni will return to the limited-overs leg of India against Sri Lanka, he believes the One-day team would also like to have a week to assess the conditions which are totally different from the subcontinent surface.
“The ODI team after that will also want to try to get seven to eight days because the conditions are different there, there is more bounce,” Dhoni said.
While giving his opinion regarding South Africa tour, Dhoni in his straightforward response believes, the Proteas tour would be full of challenges.
“As an international cricketer, this is also a challenge,” Dhoni added.
Dhoni made it clear the team doesn’t get enough time to prepare for overseas series due to the tight schedule while adding the side can do well if being allowed to prepare for the maximum of ten days.
“It is absolutely right, because we play so much cricket that we do not get much preparation time when we go overseas to play. If they get six to eight or 10 days, it is good, but whatever time they get, I think they will do well,” Dhoni concluded.
Dhoni, who stepped away from Test cricket, played 90 Tests for India.
In 144 Test innings, Dhoni amassed 4,876 runs at an average of 38.09. He has also smashed six hundreds and 33 fifties.