Gambhir slams Dhoni’s critics ahead of clash
MS Dhoni’s indifferent batting form in the IPL had raised concerns whether the former India captain still had the ability to provide momentum at the finish for Rising Pune Supergiant.
His struggles in the initial matches for RPS led to former India skipper Sourav Ganguly doubting his T20 credentials. However, his match-winning, unbeaten 61 against defending champions Sunrisers Hyderabad here on Saturday won him many accolades.
Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Gautam Gambhir not just praised Dhoni on the eve of Wednesday’s clash against RPS, he also blasted critics who wrote off champions on the basis of a few bad performances. “There is no one like a finisher or a starter. Ultimately, the one who scores the winning run is a finisher, irrespective of whether he’s an opening batsman or No 11. What matters is how much you are contributing. If you can win matches for your team, you are a finisher,” Gambhir said. threat Rising Pune Supergiant pose as there is no one dominating player in Steven Smith’s side.
“That is very good for the team because if everyone is contributing, it is a great sign for any team. And that is what we want in KKR as well. We don’t want to be dependent on one or two people; we want to be dependent on everyone.
If everyone starts performing, starts chipping in, because in the T20 format, there will be players who would end up getting one or two important wickets and there will be people who will get 10-ball 20.
“Those teams are obviously far more dangerous than the teams who are dependent on one or two individuals because it’s not assured that one or two individuals are going to perform in every game, but there is far more assuredness of 11 individuals chipping in. If Pune is doing that then it is a great sign for the
team,” he said.