MSD has a massive role to play: Shastri

Mumbai, May 21

Mahendra Singh Dhoni will have a massive role in India’s bid to regain the World Cup, coach Ravi Shastri said, emphasising on the veteran’s ability to influence the game’s little moments. “Massive, as it has always been,” Shastri said when asked about Dhoni’s role in the World Cup. “He is right there, his communication has been fantastic. As a wicketkeeper, he has shown over the years that no one is better than him in this format, not just in taking catches, inflicting those run-outs or stumping, these are little moments in the game which can change it on the head and there was no one better than him.”

Dhoni will be playing in his fourth World Cup and Shastri said he was impressed with his footwork during the Indian Premier league. “It is great to see the way he was moving in the IPL especially when he was batting, the footwork, the power with which he was hitting the shots, he will be a big player in this World Cup,” Shastri said.

Most challenging World Cup

Shastri said it would be the “most challenging World Cup”, considering the change in the format and the improvement in teams over the last five years. “It will be very challenging. If you look at 2014 and 2019 now, the gap has become closer between the teams. You see what Afghanistan, Bangladesh were in 2014 and what they are now... So it is a strong competition. West Indies, on paper, is as strong as any other team,” he said. The former skipper said India will have to be flexible since change in weather conditions can influence the game heavily in the UK. “I think our mantra will be to be flexible according to the conditions because this is one country in the world where the pitches may be flat but if there are overcast conditions then you have to be up for it,” he said.

Play to potential

Shastri believed India shoudn't try to do anything differently and only play to their potential. “This team has played good cricket in last five years. They will not play any differently because it is World Cup. They need to enjoy it and if they play to their potential the Cup can be ours,” he said. — PTI