Former Indian skipper MS Dhoni, the players who earned more honors, or garnered more laurels for Indian team has been playing for Team India for 12 years. Started off with the world cup in T20 Internationals, he led India in winning several other crucial trophies all the way which was usually unexpected and never earned before.
Once again after a while, the discussion on Dhoni’s retirement has come out. Following the second India vs. New Zealand Twenty20 in Rajkot, Dhoni had come under the scanner with the likes of VVS Laxman and Ajit Agarkar asking him to make way for the youngsters. He was criticized and trolled by many for playing slow innings when the team had to score more than 12 an over.
In Dhoni’s defense, skipper Virat Kohli has made a strong argument saying that “people need to be a bit more patient”. Dhoni also got the backing of coach Ravi Shastri. But all these while, the Ranchi man has been keeping a dignified silence.
While people have defended the former Indian captain loudly, a new addition to his list of admirers came in the form of BJP MP, Subramanian Swamy. Swamy, in a recent tweet, criticized people for their unfair criticism of MS Dhoni.
Swamy, however, backed the Jharkhand-batsman and asked for fans to stand by his side. “Why this continuing targeting of Dhoni? Since he is brilliantly amenable to Dubai gang? The nation must stand with this cricket renaissance man,” Swamy tweeted.
Why this continuing targeting of Dhoni?Since he is brilliant¬ amenable to Dubai gang? Nation must stand with this cricket renaissance man
— Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) November 14, 2017
Veteran cricketers such as Virender Sehwag, Ajit Agarkar, VVS Laxman and Akash Chopra have criticized Dhoni for his constantly diminishing strike rate in the game and have suggested for him to be replaced by younger players. Laxman, in particular, cited the vast difference in MSD and Virat Kohli‘s strike rate as a potential reason for replacing the former by younger blood in the shortest format of the game.
The backdrop to this ongoing debate about one of India’s greatest players has intensified since India aren’t among the top-ranked teams in T20 cricket, unlike their dominance in Tests and ODIs, where they stand firm at the summit position. The Men in Blue presently stand 5th in the ICC T20I Rankings for teams with 119 points and have Pakistan leading the charts with 124.
Must Read: Finally, MS Dhoni Responds To Ajit Agarkar, VVS Laxman, And Ganguly’s Criticism