While announcing the Indian squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup in UAE in October, the BCCI surprised everyone by revealing the appointment of former India skipper and an ace wicket-keeper batsman as the mentor of this Indian team.
The former India cricketer and Chennai Super Kings bowling coach Lakshmipathy Balaji who was extremely happy with this decision, in his latest interaction with India Today, talked about Dhoni’s presence in this tournament might end India’s 7-year wait for a major ICC trophy.
“I am very happy. India needs him (Dhoni) in big tournaments. In the recent past, there has been a question since 2013. We have not won any big tournaments in the recent past. So they needed someone who can bring in that extra bit of calmness, guidance and decision-making skills,” Balaji said.
“I feel MS Dhoni's appointment is very big for Team India. In a short tournament like the World Cup, the quick influence he brings to the dressing room will be vital.
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Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri will definitely benefit. MS Dhoni has had a huge influence in white-ball cricket. Be it captaincy, be it guidance for the youngsters. In big tournaments and big moments, you need someone like MS Dhoni to add a bit of composure,” he added.
The 39-year-old then pointed out Australia appointing the likes of former captains Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh to help their team in winning the Ashes to prove his point regarding the inclusion of the Ranchi-based cricketer.
“We have seen it happen in Australian cricket. The likes of Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting have helped the team in Ashes in the past. Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri will be able to gain from Dhoni's intuitive and on-field decision making,” the right-arm quick told India Today.
“He has also helped transform the likes of Virat himself, Rohit Sharma, and R Ashwin. MS will have a huge influence, especially when we have a squad filled with talent. This kind of squad needs to be justified by the leadership group,” Balaji added.
Balaji then maintained that the CSK skipper who has led his franchise to the IPL title three times is far ahead of others when it comes to decision making.
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“Leadership is nowadays multiple roles. It can't be one man. So Dhoni's presence and his identity itself is huge. There is always preparation when it comes to pre-match meetings and post-match assessments. But MS Dhoni brings in decision-making in the present. That's where he is far ahead of the rest.
When it comes to the World Cups, taking the right decisions at the right time makes a lot of difference. You might have one bad day and the opportunity is gone. All these little things make a huge difference.”
“That's why you need someone who has gone through all that. You can't win trophies without going through that. There must be some science and ability to do that, which India needs at the World Cup” the Indian cricketer said.
The former cricketer then addressed India excelling in the longest format as they have outplayed the Aussies down under but haven’t been able to replicate this performance in ICC tournaments.
But with Dhoni at the Indian team’s disposal, the upcoming showpiece event in UAE will be worth watching.
“At the moment, everybody is thinking about why this (India winning major trophies) is not happening. So probably, MS Dhoni is the right person for providing guidance. He will be looked at as an added resource for the Indian leadership group,” the Tamil Nadu-based cricketer said.
“Indian cricket has been doing well. We have won Test series in Australia, we have done well in bilateral series. So MS Dhoni's influence should be maximized to influencing youngsters and making match-winners out of the established guys on big days.
It can't be taught but when you have the right leader in the dressing room. Everybody is going to benefit from the calming influence Dhoni will provide in the dressing room,” Balaji concluded.
India begins their T20 World Cup campaign on October 24 with the opening match against arch-rivals Pakistan and will also face New Zealand and Afghanistan along with 2 qualifying teams in the Super 12 stages.
(With India Today Inputs)
