Virat Kohli Lacks Dhoni's Tactical Acumen For World Cup, Former Coach Says

Former Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni’s childhood coach Keshav Banerjee believes the men in blue are lucky to have the wicketkeeper batsman in the team as even Virat Kohli does not have the tactical acumen needed to read the game. He also spoke about Dhoni’s batting position ahead of the ICC World Cup later in the year and if there is a possibility his former charge will retire after the showpiece event in England.

Dhoni is considered one of the greatest captains in Indian cricket history and is the only person to have skippered India to victory in the three major limited over competitions – One-Day International (ODI) World Cup, T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy.

Virat Kohli took over the reins from Dhoni as the Test captain in 2014 but took over the captaincy in limited overs cricket only in 2017. The Delhi-born batsman has been leading from the front since taking over and until February 2019, he had not lost a series at home.

The Indian team had won 13 series and drawn one in all formats at home before losing the ODI series to Australia earlier this year. He has also led India to victory in nine consecutive Test series and will lead the team for the first time at a World Cup later in June.

However, Banerjee believes Dhoni’s calm approach and superior understanding of the game will be needed when they travel to England for the World Cup. He believes the former skipper can assist Kohli in terms of reading the game and making the right tactical decisions.

“In game reading and tactical approach, there is no one like Dhoni and Kohli also does not have that. So, Kohli can always fall back on Dhoni if he wants to take any advice. If Dhoni would not have been part of the Indian team, there would be nobody to help Kohli as he needs time as a captain,” Banerjee told local daily the Times of India on the sidelines of the launch of the MS Dhoni Cricket Academy clinic recently.

There was also a discussion about Dhoni’s potential retirement date and when asked if there is a chance Dhoni could hang up his gloves after the World Cup, Banerjee responded with a question asking if anyone wants the wicketkeeper, who is one of the fittest members on the team even today, to retire from the game.

"Do you want him to retire (laughs)? You have seen how fit he is. That's the main thing. When Dhoni will retire, even his wife and father don't know,” he added.

Meanwhile, Dhoni’s former coach also believes the wicketkeeper, who is regarded as one of the best finishers in the game, should now be given an opportunity to bat higher up the order. Banerjee feels Dhoni should be given time to get himself in before unleashing the big blows, which will allow the batsmen coming lower down the order to bat more comfortably.

“When he bats at no. 4, he takes time as he has time. When he bats at no. 5 or 6, he has to hit from the word go as runs are needed after all. Then he as to take risks,” Banerjee explained. “I feel Dhoni should bat at No.4 in the World Cup. It will be the team management’s decision, but that’s my personal opinion. If he bats at No.4, the other batsmen can play freely after him.”