Former Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Friday asked people to refrain from “criticising individual preferences” and “T20 cricket”. The wicket-keeper batsman was referring to the criticism faced by a number of India internationals who decided to skip this year’s Ranji Trophy.
Star Indian players, including spinner Yuzvendra Chahal and ODIs opener Shikhar Dhawan, have decided to skip Ranji. And meanwhile, Ambati Rayudu, who has been recently included in India’s ODI squad, had announced his retirement from first-class cricket.
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Earlier, former Indian batting great Sunil Gavaskar has suggested Mahendra Singh Dhoni play a bit of first-class cricket in order to remain match-fit.
“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 criticised,” MS Dhoni told reporters during the launch of former BCCI president and India Cements top boss N Srinivasan’s book release.
Speaking about Team India’s performance in all formats (T20Is, ODIs, Tests) MS Dhoni said, “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.”
Heaping praises on Indian bowlers for taking 20 wickets in every Test match, the 2011 World Cup winning skipper said, “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 are playing.”