Best Indian seaming all-rounder picked in the side: MS Dhoni on Stuart Binny

Stuart Binny (R)

Indian limited-overs cricket captain MS Dhoni has hinted at Stuart Binny getting his chances during the 2015 World Cup on decks that don’t assist spin. Explaining the rationale behind picking Binny, who has just played 6 ODIs so far, in the squad for the marquee tournament, Dhoni said that currently the 30-year-old is the best seam bowling all-rounder and the Men in Blue will be in need of him on decks like Perth. 

Binny, although has been in the international set-up for more than a year now, hasn’t really been one of Dhoni’s trusted players. In the only ODI he has played under Dhoni – the 4th ODI of the 5-match series against New Zealand last year, he batted at No. 8 below the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja and was allowed to bowl only a single over. The right-hander has faced just 63 balls and has bowled a total of 154 deliveries in his ODI career so far. 

‘Binny is exciting’ 

As a result of all these, there have been speculations over whether he will even get to play a single match during the World Cup.

Speaking ahead of their first Carlton Mid ODI Tri-Series match, against Australia, Dhoni said: "Depending on a few venues where we will be playing, it is important that we have a seaming all-rounder in the side. We are playing a few games in Perth and a few in New Zealand where there's not much purchase for the spinners. And that's one area where Stuey may come in.”

He added: "Irrespective of all the debate, the best seaming allrounder of India has been picked in the side. So we are hoping that he will stand up and take the responsibility. He is exciting you know. He can play aggressive shots if needed. And he's a good bowler. If he gives me six to eight overs, that's enough. I can use the other part-timers to bowl those two-three overs that are needed."