In the run-up to the world cup, even before that, Team India had struggled to pick one permanent player to bat at No. 4. Today still the question looms large on an Indian cricket team with many suggesting MS Dhoni to play at 4, even though Vijay Shankar has been picked up solely as India’s top-4 batsman.
Here, we pick 3 spots and analyze Dhoni’s role there, and leave it to the reader to decide where MS should bat in the upcoming cricket world cup.
MS Dhoni at No. 4 in Cricket World Cup 2019
There many experts, including fans as well, for whom MS is perfect fit for No. 4 slot. They believe batting top of the order would allow Dhoni to settle down, since we have seen in the recent past that MS plays many balls for nothing in order to settle down.
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Therefore, No. 4 slot may give him freedom to take as many balls as he likes before going berserk in the end. Even Virender Sehwag is of the same opinion.
MS Dhoni at No. 5 in Cricket World Cup 2019
But Sachin Tendulkar has a different opinion and begs to differ. For him, MS Dhoni is the perfect fit for the No. 5 spot. The experience Dhoni has garnered over the years as someone to settle the nerves of the team if the top order fails is the reason
Sachin allocates 5th position to MS Dhoni in batting order.
Since it is the crucial moment in the game when MS walks out, his calm composure makes him the perfect player to steer to safety the scorecard, especially when wickets fall in quick succession.
Dhoni’s power hitting during innings end can infuse new life into the scorecard, hence a player to reckon with at No. 5, so says Sachin Tendulkar.
MS Dhoni at No. 6 in Cricket World Cup 2019
There are still some who believe MS Dhoni should bat at No. 6 and do what he does best – finish the game. But the reason to worry for many in allocating No. 6 spot to MS Dhoni is that his hitting power over the years has witnessed a downslide and is on wane.
Likes of Dinesh Karthik and Hardik Pandya, for them, are perfect fits for finishing role, and have the best hitting prowess in store.