India captain Kohli strongly defends Dhoni's role in T20I team amidst criticism

Sport360 staff 15:51 08/11/2017
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  • Kolhi has hit back at Dhoni's detractors.

    India skipper Virat Kohli came to the aid of MS Dhoni in the wake of criticism over the veteran wicket-keeper’s spot in the T20I team.

    After India had earned a narrow win over New Zealand to clinch the T20 series on Tuesday, Kohli gave his views on the subject in the post-match press conference.

    “I don’t understand why people are pointing him out. If I fail as a batsman three times, no one is going to point fingers at me because I am not over 35,” said the 29-year-old.

    “The guy is fit, he is passing all the tests. He is contributing to the team in every tactical way on the field. With the bat, he did really well against Sri Lanka and Australia.”

    “In this series, he didn’t get much time to bat. You have to understand that the position he comes in to bat, even Hardik Pandya could not score in that game so why are we pointing out one man. Hardik as well got out in the last T20 in Rajkot. You are conveniently targeting one man which is not fair.”

    Dhoni's future in the shortest format has been under the spotlight.

    Dhoni’s future in the shortest format has been under the spotlight.

    Criticisms had been levied at Dhoni following India’s defeat in the second T20I at Rajkot where the 36-year-old had scored a 44-ball 49.

    The former World Cup winning captain’s role in the shortest format of the game has been the subject of hot discussion amongst former cricketers and TV pundits.

    With the next World T20 set to take place in 2020, the decision of the selectors to persist with Dhoni has not gone down well with the former players likes of Ajit Agarkar and VVS Laxman who feel that the Ranchi man’s T20I career has run its course.

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