Anil Kumble picks MS Dhoni's ideal batting slot for the World Cup

The wicketkeeper batsman did his role to perfection during the ODI series in Australia.

MS Dhoni | Getty

While skipper Virat Kohli has already said that he would like to see his wicketkeeper batsman at No.5, Anil Kumble reckons one slot above that is where the great Mahendra Singh Dhoni should bat for India in the ICC Cricket World Cup. 

"I think there is a lot of talks especially when MS comes into the batting line up. About not having to go all the way and win matches," Kumble was quoted saying during an interview with CricketNext, "He has done that in Australia, he has done that many numbers of times."

"I still believe that he is someone who can bat at number four. If India is in trouble, push him up. He will take his time, you need that and then he has the experience so that he makes sure he bats till the end."

"And others can be a bit positive around him. I think that is the role he will play and his experience is really needed not just in front of the stumps and also behind the stumps."

There were widespread debates surrounding Dhoni's place before that ODI series in Australia but the great man settled them up with his trio of half-centuries in Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne. He was later awarded "Player-of-the-series" for his efforts as well. 

"I think that experience nobody has so I don’t think there should be any talk now about MS Dhoni or his batting I think. It is all about how he can go out there and contribute in the World Cup," Kumble asserted. 

"Leading up to the World Cup, these five matches in India and of course the IPL is there for him. So I think there is plenty of white ball cricket he will be involved in as well. So that should help him get into his rhythm."

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 06 Feb, 2019

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