Dhoni half a captain of Indian team, Kohli visibly rough without him: Bedi

NEW DELHI: Former captain Bishan Singh Bedi on Monday called Mahendra Singh Dhoni “half a captain” of India’s limited overs team and said his absence made skipper Virat Kohli “visibly rough” on the field during the fourth ODI against Australia.

Dhoni has been rested for the last two games of the series which is tied at 2-2, going into the decider here on Wednesday.

“I am nobody to comment but we all are wondering that why Dhoni is being rested and his absence was felt yesterday, behind the stumps, with the bat and on field also. He is almost half a captain,” Bedi told PTI at a reception organised by the Australian High Commission for its cricket team.

“Dhoni is not getting any younger, he is no spring chicken either but the team needs him. He has a calming influence on the side. The captain needs him by his side, he is visibly rough without him. It is not a good sign,” said the 72-year-old spin great who took 266 wickets in 67 Tests.

Bedi also felt the Indian ODI team is experimenting needlessly ahead of the World Cup, to be held in the United Kingdom from May 30 to July 14.

“I would personally like them to live in the present. World Cup is still two and a half months away. Just play the game. For World Cup, we have been experimenting in the last one year and I am not happy with that at all,” he said, adding, that the IPL, beginning March 23, can pose serious problems for the team ahead of the mega event.

“Anyone of them can get injured during the IPL. You can’t expect them to not give 100 percent while playing for their respective franchisees.” (AGENCIES)

 

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