Former Indian cricketer Heman Badani on Monday expressed that both Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni should be rested in the second ODI against Australia slated to be played on Tuesday at the VCA Stadium. He feels that India are yet to figure out the third opener and a reserve wicketkeeper-batman for the ICC World Cup 2019 and hence the two stalwarts can be rested to make way for KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant.
Dhoni has made a thundering return to form since the start of this year and shrugged off all possible concerns regarding his World Cup credentials. He has managed 301 runs in six ODI innings in 2019 at an astronomical average of 150.50 and it includes four half-centuries, three of which was scored in Australia where he had earned the Man of the Series award.
“I have believed that the series is not just about winning or losing but also more about finding the side for the World Cup and we still haven’t figured out our second wicketkeeper. I would say give Rishabh Pant the game and at the same time, I would say if possible give Dhoni a rest. He has been batting beautifully. He is your number one keeper for sure. He has enough cricket coming up in IPL. Also, give KL Rahul a go. He has done good in the T20I contest. Again India still hasn’t figured out the third opener. Everyone knows that Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan are the top two openers, but we still haven’t figured out our third opener. Give Rohit Sharma a break and also give Dhoni a BREAK,” Badani told ESPNCricinfo.
