MS Dhoni speaks on the role of brains in T20 cricket and his batting order promotion
India’s limited-overs skipper MS Dhoni spoke to media persons after the 0-2 series loss to South Africa, suggesting half-jokingly that his team had lost out for using their brains too much, Dhoni said that he hopes the experience of the loss to South Africa will serve as a timely reminder not to overthink in T20s, according to PTI.
"I personally feel that I used too much brain in this format. It's very important I keep myself free and go and play my strokes. Depending on that I play a bit slow initially. In this format, I believe I should play the big shots from the word go irrespective of whatever the scenario is because that's what this format is all about."
India lost the first match narrowly, but were thoroughly drubbed in the second one. Dhoni had been the first captain to win the World T20 when it was held for the first time in 2007, and is thus considered as one of the pioneers of the T20 format.
It is expected that the 34-year-old will lead his country out one last time at the World Cup in India next year.
India need to groom a finisher: Dhoni
Dhoni also explained that his wish to bat higher up the order was in light of India’s future needs. The wicketkeeper-batsman has been the designated finisher of his team for many years now, and it seems that he wants to find an able successor in that role.
"One of the reasons, why I want to bat up the order is that somebody else takes the responsibility of batting lower down the order, say No 6 which is a very crucial position,” said Dhoni.
"Unless they are exposed, you cannot tell who is good at it. We have seen them perform well at the top of the order but have struggled lower down.
“If I start batting at No 5, at least someone else will take up that responsibility. You need to have it in your back-up plan in the years to come.”
Manish Pandey, Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav are among batsmen who have made their mark and scored runs in limited opportunities in the top order. According to Dhoni’s wishes, it is time one of them or someone of their ilk raises his hands to hit the winning shots.