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Sunil Gavaskar calls for MS Dhoni’s return in fifth ODI against NZ

Dixit Bhargav
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Gavaskar calls for MS Dhoni's return in fifth ODI

Gavaskar calls for MS Dhoni’s return in fifth ODI: Legendary Indian cricketer wants the veteran cricketer to play the fifth ODI.

A crushing 8-wicket defeat in the fourth ODI against New Zealand at Hamilton might force the Indian team management to consider bringing back former India captain and current wicket-keeper batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni into the playing XI for the fifth ODI.

While Dhoni was not dropped for the last two ODIs, a hamstring strain had kept him away form action. Dhoni’s absence was dearly felt yesterday after the Indian team was bundled out for a paltry 92.

Someone of his expertise would have been the ideal person to rescue India when their batsmen fell like a pack of cards against the likes of Trent Boult and Colin de Grandhomme.

If fit, Dhoni should be included into the playing XI without much discussion for the 37-year old cricketer will play a vital role in the absence of regular India captain Virat Kohli.

A major concern which the team management will face in bringing back Dhoni will regarding resting a batsman. If Dhoni returns, it is likely that one out of Shubman Gill or Dinesh Karthik will have to sit out.

While Gill had made his debut yesterday and would be hoping for more opportunities coming his way, Karthik has performed well in the limited opportunities which he has got in the recent times. Barring his yesterday’s innings, he has played impact-generating innings whenever he has got to bat since the tour of Australia.

Former India captain and legendary batsman Sunil Gavaskar also supported the decision to pay Dhoni in the next match on being asked about the changes which India would be looking at for the last ODI.

“My feeling is that they’ll probably have [MS] Dhoni coming in place of Karthik. Other changes will be based on the conditions in Wellington. I don’t see too many changes though. I am sure Shubman Gill will get another opportunity,” Gavaskar was quoted as saying on Star Sports.

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    Dixit Bhargav

    Dixit Bhargav

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    Born and brought up in Pathankot, Dixit Bhargav is an engineering and sports management graduate who works as a Cricket Editor at The SportsRush. Having written more than 10,000 articles across more than five years at TSR, his first cricketing memory dates back to 2002 when former India captain Sourav Ganguly had waved his jersey at the historic Lord’s balcony. What followed for an 8-year-old was an instant adulation for both Ganguly and the sport. The optimist in him is waiting for the day when Punjab Kings will win their maiden Indian Premier League title. When not watching cricket, he is mostly found in a cinema hall watching a Punjabi movie.

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