Sunil Gavaskar counters VVS Laxman, Ajit Agarkar's views on MS Dhoni's T20I future
Mumbai: After VVS Laxman’s and Ajit Agarkar’s remark against Team India wicketkeeper MS Dhoni, legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar came in support of the Jharkhand cricketer, saying that Dhoni alone should not be blamed for the loss to New Zealand in the second T20 at Rajkot, but it was the responsibility of the entire team to perform well.
Gavaskar’s comments on MS Dhoni comes after former cricketers VVS Laxman and Ajit Agarkar opposed the former captain’s inclusion in the T20 squad, saying that youngsters should be given a chance to get some playing experience in the international level.
"VVS and Ajit are completely entitled to their opinion. They have played a lot of cricket for India and it is their view. It might not necessarily be the selectors' nor the captains' view and we just have to wait and see,” the 68-year-old was quoted saying to NDTV.
"We do not look at the guys under 30, who actually haven't done anything but we tend to sort of overlook that. So, we will not have to look at the failure of others in the same innings. Hardik Pandya getting out for one by not picking up a googly.
“We will not look at that. We will not look at the fact that openers did not give the usual start. We will only point a finger at MS Dhoni. So that is unfortunate. So, that is India for you," he added.
When asked if MS Dhoni should quit T20s to prolong his ODI career, Gavaskar said that the more the cricket a player plays, the better it would be.
"For a cricketer, it helps if he plays continuously. Because you are in rhythm and in the groove most of the time even if you might not be taking wickets as a bowler or scoring runs as a batsman.
“Having actual games and match practice is very important. Match practice is fantastic not only for the physical aspect but also for the mental aspect. So, clearly the more cricket anybody plays it is better for him,” he further stated.
Gavaskar also spoke on the importance of age factor in cricket.
"When somebody reaches an age beyond 30 then I think every time, all of us are looking to find fault with that over-30 person. We actually hasten somebody's retirement from the game by demanding too much of the person," the former Mumbai cricketer concluded.
Virat Kohli-led Team India will take on Kane Williamson’s New Zealand in the third T20 at Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday, hoping to seal the series 2-1 after a 40-run loss to the visitors on Saturday.
