Sunil Gavaskar names the player who Virat Kohli will need in 2019 World Cup

Former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar opined that MS Dhoni’s experience and advice will come in as handy for Virat Kohli during the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup in England.

“Virat needs (Dhoni),” Gavaskar said in his analysis on Star Sports, as quoted by ICC cricket.

“There’s no doubt about it. In 50 overs where there is that much more time, that’s when MSD comes into play. You know he makes those small field adjustments, talking to the bowlers in Hindi – telling them where to bowl and what to bowl. It’s a huge plus for Virat”, Gavaskar added.

Dhoni currently is a part of the Indian team playing the five-match ODI series against the West Indies at home. Having batted in three innings in four matches, struggling Dhoni has only managed to score 50 runs at a poor average of 16.67.

While there are several debates in regards to Dhoni’s batting form, one cannot deny the value of experience he brings behind the wickets and he is the instant go-to-person for Kohli when the Indian captain needs any advice during the match.

Earlier, Dhoni was dropped from India’s 16-member teams for both the T20 International series against the West Indies and Australia later this year.

India’s selection committee said that Dhoni, the 2007 World T20-winning skipper, has been “rested” and India are now looking to fill in the second wicketkeeper’s slot.

But when asked if Dhoni’s career in T20s is over, selection committee chief MSPrasad said, “Not yet. We want to try out other keepers for the second keeper’s slot.”

The two keepers in the two T20 squads announced Friday are Rishabh Pant and Dinesh Karthik. The three T20s against Australia will get underway from November 21, followed by a four-Test series and three ODIs