Several Indian cricketers were under a lot of criticism for missing the ongoing Ranji Trophy domestic season.
Yuvraj Singh was unavailable for Punjab after being picked in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 12 auction. Whereas, Ambati Ryaudu announced retirement to focus on the white-ball cricket.
Not only Yuvraj and Rayudu, but Shikhar Dhawan and MS Dhoni were also not part of the Ranji Trophy 2018-19 despite not being part of Indian team.
Former cricketers like Sunil Gavaskar had suggested that they should have played the domestic cricket.
But former Indian captain Dhoni believes individual preference should not be criticized. "It is important to safeguard players. We have to make the domestic circuit slightly less challenging (he was referring to itinerary) for the individual. Moreover, it is important to be not too critical of T20 cricket and also individual preferences. Individual preferences should not be criticized," Dhoni said.
Dhoni also talked about the performance by team India across all three formats. He is happy India has such a good bowling unit. "I am very happy with the way our cricket is going. See... the fast bowlers how they are bowling in the Test arena. To win a Test match, we need 20 wickets whether it is spinners or the fast bowlers.
"As of now, we have a bowling attack that is taking 20 Test wickets every match, which means we have the chance of winning every Test match that we play," he said.
Another Indian cricketing icon Rahul Dravid feels Indian players need to treat the 2019 World Cup like a bilateral series to achieve more.
"We have to play the World Cup like it is a bilateral series. We have played well in white ball cricket in recent years. It will also be more about keeping the bowlers injury-free," Dravid said.
"The team is pretty much finalized. Our white ball cricket in the last one-and-half to two years has been quite exceptional. It is about fine-tuning from here. It is also about getting everyone to that tournament fit and getting everyone to that tournament in good form," he added.
Former India head coach Anil Kumble isn't in favor of playing the Indian bowlers in Indian Premier League (IPL). "It is important to keep the bowlers fresh. Batsmen get a lot of opportunities in the IPL. Resting a few of the top players for a few of the IPL games would be (a) good (idea) but the franchises may not do that," Kumble said.
(With PTI Inputs)
