After India’s ODI series defeat at the hands of Australia, Michael Clarke has warned critics not to undervalue the significance of veteran wicketkeeper batsman MS Dhoni.

Despite winning the first two ODIs, India ended up losing this series with Dhoni not featuring in the last two matches. The 37-year-old was rested after the Ranchi ODI as the Indian team management wanted to provide opportunities to young glovesman Rishabh Pant keeping the World Cup 2019 preparation in mind.

Unfortunately for India, Pant failed to live up to the expectations and the Men in Blue suffered their first home series loss in the 50-over format since 2015.

After the series-deciding fifth ODI in Delhi that the hosts lost by 35 runs, a fan on Twitter tagged Clarke and said how India hasn’t been able to replace a player like Yuvraj Singh, who used to do wonders in the middle-order.

Responding to the fan, the former Aussie skipper highlighted the importance of Dhoni by stating: “Never underestimate the importance of MSD- experience in the middle order is so important.”

Dhoni has been in stellar form with the willow this year. With three consecutive fifties, he was named Player-of-the-Series in India’s 2-1 ODI victory over Australia earlier this year. In 9 ODIs this year, Dhoni has amassed 327 runs at an outstanding average of 81.75 with four half-centuries.