MS Dhoni’s appointment is good news for India, just hope there won’t be clashes: Sunil Gavaskar
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar said Ms Dhoni’s appointment as the team’s coach for the T20 World Cup later this year is good news for India.
Gavaskar, however, said he hopes there are no clashes between Dhoni and head coach Ravi Shastri with regards to tactics and if the two can get along on the same wavelength, it can work wonders for the team.
“Under his leadership, India won the 2011 World Cup and four years before that, India won the 2007 T20 World Cup. It’s definitely going to benefit Team India,” said Gavaskar on Aaj Tak. Gavaskar took an example of when he was appointed a consultant for India in 2004.
“At the time, (then-head coach) John Wright was a bit nervous, he probably thought I was going to take his place. But Ravi Shastri knows that MS Dhoni has very little interest in coaching. Ravi Shastri and MS Dhoni, if the partnership goes well, India will benefit a great deal from it,” said Gavaskar.
“But if there are disagreements over tactics and team selection, then there might be bit of an effect on the team. But MS Dhoni’s appointment itself will be a big boost for Team India. He has so much experience, he knows everything. There was no bigger, destructive player than MS Dhoni when he was active in international cricket,” he said.
“MS Dhoni’s appointment is good news for India but I am just praying there is no clash. But if Ravi Shastri and MS Dhoni can get on the same wavelength, then it’s big news for India.”
Gavaskar also said he doubts if senior spinner Ravichandran Ashwin will be included in the playing XI. Ashwin, who has not played a T20 International since July 2017, was included in the squad ahead of the likes of Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav.
“Ashwin’s return is good news. But whether or not he will find a place in the XI, that’s something we have to wait and watch. Picking him in the 15 is good, even in England Test squad he was picked as part of the 15, but he is not playing in the XI. He has been given a consolation. To make up for the disappointment of England Tests, they probably might have given him the spot. We have to wait and see if he plays in the XI,” he said.
