News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

This article was first published 4 years ago
Rediff.com  » Cricket » We need to look beyond Dhoni, says Gavaskar

We need to look beyond Dhoni, says Gavaskar

Source: PTI
September 20, 2019 10:58 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

Pant is my choice for World T20: Gavaskar

MS Dhoni

IMAGE: For Gavaskar, if Pant doesn't do well, then Sanju Samson is the next best option. Photograph: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

Former captain and batting legend Sunil Gavaskar believes that time has come for Indian cricket to 'look beyond Mahendra Singh Dhoni' and invest in youth going into next year's World T20 in Australia.

However, there has been a raging debate on the options available as Rishabh Pant has not been able to grab his opportunities. But he remains Gavaskar's 'top-choice' going into the marquee event next year.

 

Asked if Dhoni should be picked for the Bangladesh tour, Gavaskar replied in the negative.

"No, we need to look beyond. Mahendra Singh Dhoni at least doesn't figure in my team. If you are talking about the T20 World Cup, I will certainly think about Rishabh Pant," Gavaskar told 'Aaj Tak'.

For Gavaskar, if Pant doesn't do well, then Sanju Samson is the next best option.

"If I need to have an alternate option, then I will think of Sanju Samson because Sanju is a good 'keeper as well as a good batsman."

"If I have to think of the T20 World Cup, I would think about youth as we need to look forward. Dhoni has made great contribution to Indian cricket but it's now time to look beyond him," the iconic opener said.

Later on the 'India Today' channel, Gavaskar said: "I think he (Dhoni) should be going without being pushed out."

Dhoni, who is yet to announce his international retirement, took a two-month sabbatical from the sport after the ODI World Cup but the current selection committee has already indicated that it doesn't want to look behind.

However, Pant's inconsistency and poor shot-selection is hurting the team's interest as head coach Ravi Shastri had recently pointed out. Batting coach Vikram Rathour too reminded the team's youngsters about the difference between a "fearless and careless" approach.

Gavaskar, on his part, wants to check whether the young keeper-batsman is batting at the correct number.

"What is Rishabh's position in batting order -- No 4 or 5? Going in to the World T20 in Australia, we will know his (batting) position better," Gavaskar said.

But Gavaskar acknowledged that there will be scrutiny since he started his international career on a rousing note.

"The way he (Pant) started his career in Tests, it was so good and it is obvious that he will be scrutinised. I think whatever is happening is for his good as he can rectify the mistakes he is making." 

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Source: PTI© Copyright 2024 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent.

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE 2024

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE 2024