‘The best way to use MS will be to…’ Former player on how India can get the maximum out of Dhoni

Former India fast bowler Venkatesh Prasad feels MS Dhoni is better suited to play up the order than as a finisher. The former India captain, who has not played since the World Cup, has enjoyed good numbers batting at No. 3 and 4, scoring 2351 runs from 46 combined innings, averaging 82.75 and 56.58 respectively. But the team management has stuck with Dhoni as a finisher, even if his skills to finish off games have been waning.

Prasad reckons that at 38 and with slowing reflexes, India can benefit the most from Dhoni if they bat him higher.

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“Instead of treating Dhoni as a finisher, I will play him up the order. I would probably ask him to bat at number 3 or 4. Or, if I have only 10 overs left, I will tell Dhoni go and just play his game the way he plays as a finisher,” Prasad told Times of India. Let’s not forget, Dhoni has experience and the inputs that he would give, that’s extremely valuable.”

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Prasad, who played 33 Tests and 161 ODIs for India believes it will be difficult for Dhoni to return to the Indian team. The IPL was a platform for Dhoni to announce his comeback but since there’s no certainty over the future of the tournament, and the fact that KL Rahul has responded well to the wicketkeeping role allotted to him in limited-overs, Dhoni’s chances of playing for India appear bleak.

“It’s very tough for him to really break into the team. It’s tough for him now again to make a comeback because he’s not played cricket for almost a year. It’s not going to be easy for him,” Prasad said.

“There is no doubt he is very fit but then your reflexes tend to come down as you grow old. He is nearing 40. So, it’s not going to be easy for him. I would also leave it to the team management. If he shows good fitness and also if team management comes up with some strategy.”