MSD must quit before he’s pushed: Gavaskar

Mumbai, September 20

The time has come for India’s long-serving wicketkeeper-batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni to bow out of international cricket — and he should go before he’s pushed, Sunil Gavaskar has said. “Nobody knows what’s in MSD’s mind. Only he can clarify what he thinks his future with Indian cricket is,” former India captain and opening batsman Gavaskar said. “But he’s now 38, by the time the next T20 World Cup comes he will be over 39 years old. I think India should be looking ahead.”

The next 50-overs World Cup is still four years away but the World T20 will be held in 2020 and Dhoni enjoys unwavering support of India captain Virat Kohli, who has publicly backed him on numerous occasions. “His value to the side is always going to be fantastic. It’s not just the runs he will score or the catches and the stumpings he will effect,” said Gavaskar.  “His overall presence is so calming on the field, it’s fantastic for the captain because the captain gets the benefit of his views. So that’s a huge plus. But I think the time has come. Everybody has a shelf life,” Gavaskar added. “He should be going without being pushed out. He should be going on his own terms.”

Captain Virat effective due to Rohit, MSD: Gambhir

Ahmedabad: Virat Kohli looks an effective captain in the international arena simply because he has got two successful captains like Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Rohit Sharma in the side, former India opener Gautam Gambhir said. “Still a long way to go for him (Kohli). Kohli was very good in the last World Cup in England but he has a long way to go. He captains so well in international cricket because he has got Rohit Sharma, he had MS Dhoni for a long time,” Gambhir said. “Captaincy credentials are noticed when you are leading a franchise (in T20 cricket), when you do not have other players supporting you.” Gambhir led Kolkata Knight Riders to two IPL titles. “I have been honest whenever I have spoken about this. See what Rohit Sharma has achieved for Mumbai Indians, see what Dhoni has achieved for Chennai Super Kings. If you compare that with RCB, the results are there for everyone to see,” the cricketer-turned politician said. — Agencies

Need to be patient with Pant: Prasad 

Kolkata: Chairman of selectors MSK Prasad has said that they are keeping an eye on the likes of Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson and a few others as backup wicketkeepers to take the workload off Rishabh Pant. Pant, who is now India’s main stumper keeping in mind MS Dhoni’s break from international cricket, has failed to score runs, but Prasad feels that one needs to be patient with someone as talented as Pant. “I have already said that post World Cup we have been concentrating on the progress of Rishabh. We need to be patient with him, considering the immense talent that he possesses,” Prasad said. — IANS