Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has often praised Virat Kohli for his sheer consistency. He further believes senior wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni will play a considerable role in Virat Kohli’s leadership at the impending 2019 World Cup.
With India gearing up for overall twelfth edition of ICC’s marquee event, Tendulkar has thrown support behind his national team before the kick-off of the ODI showpiece on May 30 at Kennington Oval in London.
The 2011 World Cup-winner Tendulkar also remarked Kohli’s form as a skipper shouldn’t be a cause of concern.
Recently, in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has ended up as wooden-spooner while winning five games out of 14 in the group stage fixtures.
Meanwhile, the Mumbaikar believes Dhonis’s experience as a wicketkeeper will be a massive boost for the Men in Blue.
Watch out for Dhoni’s contribution:
Tendulkar reiterated Dhoni has a clear view of what’s taking place around. He remarked Dhoni wealth of experience would certainly help India in many ways.
“Talking about Dhoni, his experience of standing behind the stumps is going to help. Because that is possibly the best view anyone could ask for. Standing there, he can see the entire ground just the way the batsman is seeing,” Tendulkar revealed while speaking to IANS.
Besides, Dhoni, who will play his fourth World Cup, had also led India to a World Cup victory after 28 years in 2011 when hosts thumped Sri Lanka by six wickets at the iconic Wankhede Stadium on April 2.
The 37-year-old Ranchi star Dhoni has not only delivered as a leader but eventually shouldered the responsibility to bring glory to the country. In the finale, Dhoni has scored unbeaten 91 off 97 balls.
The celebrated cricketer Tendulkar stated that Dhoni is the central figure for India’s World Cup chances in English conditions.
Tendulkar has himself has represented India in record 452 matches amassed 18426 runs at an average of 44.83.
Having the experience of playing 44 World Cup matches spread over six World Cups, Tendulkar has recorded an aggregate total of 2,278 at an outstanding average of 56.95. He has slammed six hundreds and 15 half-centuries.
Experienced stumper in Dhoni is a bonus at the 2019 World Cup:
Furthermore, more often than not, Dhoni has assisted Kohli, who subsequently has an impressive record on his back as a dynamic leader. Consequently, his enthusiasm sets him apart from other captains in particular on the field.
Tendulkar stated Dhoni’s contribution would play a significant role. Time and again, Dhoni has often suggested young bowlers. He added Dhoni has the knack of reading the pitch well. It will undoubtedly help the bowlers and the skipper at the helm.
“His [Dhoni’s] inputs would be critical because he will know how well the pitch is playing or how badly it is playing, whether the ball is stopping or it is coming onto the bat nicely. Whatever be the situation, he will share it with the captain as well as the bowler. So, having someone that experienced standing behind the stumps is always a bonus,” Tendulkar said.
Concurrently, India is gearing up to play a warm-up game against New Zealand on Saturday (May 22). They will face Bangladesh in the second warm-up game on May 28.
India will begin their World Cup campaign on June 5 against South Africa in Southampton.