ASIA CUP 2018: MS Dhoni needs to perform to retain his place in the ODI side, says Sourav Ganguly

Dhoni's batting approach has constantly grabbed the headlines lately.

Dhoni is struggling with the bat in ODI cricket lately | Getty

At the start of 2017 when England toured India for a limited-overs series, MS Dhoni had decided to pass the captaincy baton to already established Test skipper Virat Kohli. Since then Team India are doing exceptionally well in white-ball cricket under Kohli.

Despite India’s stellar show, Dhoni’s performances have often been questioned. During the three-match ODI series between England and India in July, Dhoni’s batting approach grabbed the headlines on regular basis.

Following India’s 86-run defeat in the second ODI at Lord’s, questions were raised over Dhoni’s uncharacteristic 37-ball 59 in which he played 31 dot balls. The veteran wicketkeeper faced the same wrath for his 66-ball 42 as India suffered a humiliating 8-wicket defeat in the series-deciding third ODI at Headingley.

In the ongoing Asia Cup, Dhoni got out for a three-ball duck in the opening game against Hong Kong while India didn’t need his batting services in the high-profile clash against Pakistan.

Considering Dhoni’s below-par showing lately, former India skipper Sourav Ganguly has said that the Jharkhand man needs to lift his game to retain his place in the side.

"Asia Cup is a very important tournament for MS Dhoni. He is a great player and has scored a ton of runs but he won't keep getting games just due to this. There is a time limit for everyone. I'm surprised to see that Pant wasn't given a chance in this tournament," Ganguly told India TV.

Dhoni will certainly have to show his prowess with the willow since Team India has quite a few options to replace him. Young Rishabh Pant is one wicketkeeper batsman who is constantly knocking the door of the ODI side. Pant was a part of India’s Test side on England tour and impressed everyone by hitting a swashbuckling century in the fifth Test at The Oval.

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 20 Sep, 2018

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