Virat Kohli strikes back at infamous critics that targeted MSD

Why is it so easy for the people to drag MS Dhoni into every scene? When India loses why do they blame MSD for the loss? Isn’t he the only player who is playing?

A lot of questions to ask and a lot more to think. Experts like VVS Laxman, Aakash Chopra and Ajit Agarkar felt that Dhoni was ineffective in T20Is and hence he should quit in order to give room for the youngsters.

Despite being on the receiving end, Dhoni got support from Bhuvneshwar Kumar. The latter said that the team management is not bothered at all because MSD is a legend. Dhoni got support from Sunil Gavaskar, Virender Sehwag and Virat Kohli as well.

Indian captain Virat Kohli after the 2-1 T20I series win over New Zealand addressed the reporters at the post-match media conference where Kohli hit back at the infamous critics that kept targeting MS Dhoni for quite a while.

Kohli said that he does not understand why people are targeting him unnecessarily. He added that when he fails, no one points him out because he is not at that elderly age.

The Indian skipper also went on to say that MS Dhoni’s tactical plans is always helpful for the team. Kohli said that Dhoni is passing all the tests he is going through.

Not to forget the fact that MS Dhoni did contribute some handy runs with the bat against Sri Lanka and Australia.

“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.

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,” Kohli added.

ALSO READ : “MS Dhoni should be dropped”, says former India opener

Dhoni’s scores in the T20I series reads 7*, 49, 0*. Kohli said that Dhoni didn’t get much time to bat because of the position that he is coming into bat.

Kohli said that Hardik Pandya who occupied the role also failed to deliver the much-needed amends. When Hardik failed too, the critics targeted only on MSD.

“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,” Kohli said.

MSD takes time to settle down and by the time he comes, the runrate climbs to over 9 or 10 runs per over. “By the time he comes in, the run rate is already 8.5-9.5. The wicket is also not the same as when the new ball is being bowled.

Batsmen who are set at the top find it easier to strike the ball straight away compared to guys who come lower down the order. The kind of wickets that we played on, wear and tear have been much more in the latter half,” Kohli said.

“You have to assess everything. As team members and management, we understand the situation when people go in to bat, we don’t get emotional and excited about opinions of people who are looking at things from a different point of view. You understand how the wicket is behaving, in what situation you are in,” Kohli signed off.