VVS Laxman passes verdict on MS Dhoni’s batting position for 2019 World Cup

VVS Laxman passes verdict on MS Dhoni’s batting position: The former Indian batsman opined on the veteran cricketer’s batting position.

Former India batsman VVS Laxman has become the latest former cricketer to comment on wicket-keeper batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s batting number for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.

Speaking at the WION Global Summit in Dubai, Laxman was also vocal about middle-order batsman Ambati Rayudu’s status for the imminent ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. The 44-year old said that Rayudu made his presence felt during the tour of New Zealand and that he has sealed his position in the ODI squad.

“Rayadu has been performing really well recently. He made his presence felt with a quality knock of 90 in the last ODI against New Zealand, with the knock emerging as a match-winning one. Rayadu has sealed the position,” Laxman was quoted as saying.

“Dhoni should bat at No. 5”

Talking about Dhoni, Laxman believed that the veteran cricketer is best-suited at No. 5. Laxman opined that Dhoni can both anchor the innings as well as finish the games from the given position.

“In my opinion, MSD should play at the No. 5 position as he can anchor the innings well and finishes the game off as well. There is enough depth in the lineup with the likes of Hardik Pandya and Kedar Jadhav available as well. I believe that the playing 11 [for the World Cup] is sorted out,” he added.

Coming on the back of a worst year (in terms of number of runs scored) in ODIs, plentiful question marks were raised on the 38-year old Dhoni.

However, the advent of a new year saw a change in fortunes for Dhoni as he scored three consecutive half-centuries to earn the Man of the Series award in the three-match series against Australia. In the six ODIs which Dhoni has played this year, he has scored 242 runs at an average of 121 and a strike rate of 79.86.