Former India captain Sourav Ganguly feels MS Dhoni wouldn’t have been that player had he not batted up the order. It was under Ganguly, Dhoni had made his India debut. Also, it was under his captaincy, Dhoni batted at number 3 in that match against Pakistan. It is also the same match in which Dhoni smashed a match-winning 148 at Vizag.
Ever since that innings in Vizag, Dhoni hasn’t looked back and has turned out to be one of India’s all-time greats. Incidentally, MS Dhoni retired on the 15th of August after representing the nation for over 15 years. He will remain as one of the brightest chapters in Indian cricket.
Dhoni wouldn’t have been the player if he batted at 6 – Ganguly
Recently, BCCI President Sourav Ganguly spoke about how Dhoni has scored big whenever he has got more balls to play. He stressed upon the impact Sachin Tendulkar had in his ODI career after he opened for India in the one day format to draw similarities with Dhoni.
“He (Dhoni) got the opportunity to bat at No.3 in Vizag, scored a superb hundred and whenever he has got a chance to play more overs, he has scored big. Tendulkar wouldn’t have become Tendulkar if he kept batting at No.6 because you get a handful of balls to play,” Ganguly told Sportstak.
Sourav Ganguly is of the opinion that a player cannot be expected to score big if you keep sending him down the order. A player needs to get all the freedom at the top to go out and express himself. Just like how he gave Dhoni all the freedom to express himself at number 3.
Meanwhile, MS Dhoni did not let Ganguly down as he had a great run for India batting at that key position.
“A player is made when you send him up the order, you can’t make a player by playing him lower down the order. I always believe you can’t become a big cricketer by sitting inside the dressing room. The Kind of abilities, especially the six-hitting prowess he had, was rare.” Ganguly added.
The legendary cricketer will now be in action during the IPL for Chennai Super Kings starting 19th September. MS Dhoni will lead Chennai and will hope to win their fourth title.