Coach Ravi Shastri Finally Opens Up Why Dhoni Was Sent At No.7

After team India suffered an 18-run loss against New Zealand and were finally knocked out of the ICC World Cup 2019. Team India Head coach Ravi Shastri attracted a lot of criticisms from the fans including former India skipper Sourav Ganguly for sending MS Dhoni after Dinesh Karthik and Hardik Pandya. Some critics also blamed Dhoni’s demotion in the batting order as one of the reasons for India’s shock loss. But the latter joined Rishabh Pant in the middle and could only contribute 6 runs.

According to News Nation report, the situation not only made populous outburst but also questioned Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri's tactics to hold Dhoni till the end. Seeing this situation, Ravi Shastri finally opened up and explained the strategy behind the pivotal decision, which almost turned right for the team until Martin Guptill delivered an extraordinary effort on the field.

"It was a team decision. Everyone was in with it — and it was a simple decision, too. Last thing you wanted was Dhoni coming out to bat early and getting out — that would have killed the chase. We needed his experience later. He is the greatest finisher of all times — and it would have been criminal to not make use of him in that way. The whole team was clear on it,” Shastri was quoted as saying in an interview to Indian Express.

"And Rishabh Pant did look pretty secure when he got out to bat, even against (New Zealand fast bowler) Trent Boult, didn’t he? You could then say that if Pant had continued and not got out… but that’s sport. You grow up in quick time. He will learn, he already knows it. But I am happy that the team showed spunk. They didn’t give up even after losing Pant and Pandya. What a fightback that was,” he added.

Meanwhile, Shastri also praised Dhoni for being compose throughout the run chase until he was run-out. "He (Dhoni) was magnificent. The composure in the situation. And let me tell you, if not for that unfortunate runout, I think he had his calculations going inside his head. Which ball to hit, how much to keep for (James) Neesham’s last over. You could see his brain was ticking. He wanted to do it so desperately and it was clear on his face when he came back to the dressing room,” Shastri said.

Media report further state that, Shastri, who was appointed head coach in 2017, admitted that the team missed the services of a ‘solid’ No. 4 batsman throughout the World Cup. The Indian head coach also said that playing the semifinal over two days because of rain was not ideal and disrupted the team’s momentum as well.

"The momentum we had on Tuesday — that was gone. Stop, restart all over again. It wasn’t ideal but that’s how sport goes, sometimes,” he said.