‘Rayudu, Ahmed big gains; Dhoni still important’

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: India skipper Virat Kohli said Ambati Rayudu and Khaleel Ahmed were the India’s biggest takeaways from the 3-1 drubbing of West Indies while assuring that MS Dhoni continue to be integral to their one-day plans after he was dropped for the T20Is against West Indies and Australia.

“Two things that come straight to mind is the way Rayudu played and the way Khaleel bowled. Those two things are something that we were looking for a while; someone to back-up Bhuvi and Bumrah — someone to pick up wickets and bowl in good areas. Having a left-arm seamer gives you variation in the attack,” Kohli said after the India’s thumping nine-wicket win on Thursday.

Used as a first-change bowler, Ahmed made use of the conditions both in Mumbai and here in Thiruvananthapuram where overcast conditions aided in lateral movement. Rayudu emerged as the third highest run-getter for India in the series.

On being asked about Dhoni’s omission from the T20 squad, Kohli said, “I think the selectors have already addressed this if I’m not wrong. And he’s been spoken to, firstly… So, I don’t see any reason why I should be sitting here and explaining that. I think the selectors have come out and explained exactly what happened. I was not part of that conversation.

“I think people are putting too much variables into the situation, which is not the case I can assure of that. He’s still a very integral part of this team and he someone like Rishabh can get more chances. He anyway plays the ODIs for us regularly. From that point of view, he’s only trying to help the youngsters; nothing that anything that other people are thinking and I as captain can certainly assure you of that.”

Kohli also praised Ravindra Jadeja for bouncing back from near-oblivion to perform at the Asia Cup and now in this series. “I get a sense that he understands his game much better. He has obviously gone back and worked quite a bit, especially in white bal to come back and perform like this,” said Kohli. Whether Jadeja has done enough to cement his place isn’t clear.

“When Hardik is fit and fine to play, you have to see what combi nation you can have to take in the World Cup. If Hardik is fit, Kedar becomes a spin option as well Hardik becoming fit also gives you four seaming options, along with Kedar and one more spin ner. You might need one more spin option. Jadeja becomes the key there with the team balance,” said Kohli.

› just feels that in the T20 format,

He (MS Dhoni) is still a very integral part of the team. He just feels that in T20s, someone like Rishabh (Pant) can get more chances. VIRAT KOHLI, On MS Dhoni’s omission from India’s T20 squad