Former Indian National Cricket Team skipper MS Dhoni’s childhood coach Keshav Ranjan Banerjee believes the number five slot is an ideal position for the senior campaigner and wicketkeeper-batsman Dhoni. Banerjee asserted it would further allow Dhoni to play with freedom.
“This position, No 5, suits him,” Banerjee told Sportstar.
Interestingly, his comments came after veteran cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni played a high-quality knock during the second One-day International against Australia at Adelaide on January 15.
With questions being asked whether Dhoni would be able to turn back the clock, the 37-year-old star cricketer not only answered his critics but saw Team India home by six wickets and four balls to spare—to level the three-match ODI series 1-1.
Banerjee, who moulded Dhoni into an ace batsman during his early days, maintained the latter has enough experience on his back to tackle the situation.
“Not every player can go in and start smashing. He would need to go deep into the game, adjust with the pitch as well as the field set-up,” Banerjee stated.
Banerjee hailed the efforts of Dhoni for his unbeaten knock of 55 which came off 54 deliveries.
“Today was a chanceless innings. Best time to play one. The run/ball balance was 100 per cent. It showed that something is still there in him and there is a lot left to be seen,” Banerjee said.
On the other side, Banerjee opined that Dinesh Karthik and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja should fill in the number sixth and seventh spot respectively–to provide ample support to Dhoni and the team, in particular.
“Now, he [Dhoni] has Dinesh Karthik and Ravindra Jadeja to back him up. When batting at No. 6 or No. 7, he may run out of partners. There is also no guarantee that he will score a 50 in every game,” Banerjee remarked.
Pertinently, Banerjee reiterated the much-needed break had put Dhoni in good stead. Moreover, he believes ICC 2019 World Cup which is around the corner, pushes management to save Dhoni for the best.
“A break is good for players, and it worked for him. It helps a cricketer sustain his potential, or else, once he is appearing in 15 to 20 matches in a row, the workload takes a toll and it can finish a career. This rotation policy was needed to conserve Dhoni’s energy in the World Cup year,” Banerjee further said.
Retirement Speculations:
Talking about the retirement speculations regarding Dhoni following the 2019 coveted quadrennial event, Banerjee reiterated Dhoni knows what he is supposed to do. He understands the situation better than anyone under any circumstances.
“He is a guy who you can’t beat with insults or criticism. If he thinks it’s his time to leave, he will call it a day. Nothing will bother him,” Banerjee added.
From heavy bat to a lighter blade:
According to Banerjee, Dhoni has put his efforts to make most out of the opportunity. Dhoni, who often used heavy bats, has opted for the lighter bats for the effective control and willow speed. It eventually helped him to reap the rewards in between for the Men in Blue.
“When I visited his house, I saw those bats. At the age of 26 of 27, he played with heavy bats because he was young. Now he is growing old and it needs added effort to control a heavy willow. He understood that at the right time,” Banerjee concluded.
In conclusion, with many feeling that Dhoni’s waning ability to finish the games has been a worrying sign for Team India, they should watch the highlight of his Adelaide innings if not twice but once for sure. He is back as a finisher to entertain one and all.