MS Dhoni has nothing to prove, says Shane Warne

WARNE ALSO POSTED TO HIS TWITTER PROFILE (@SHANEWARNE), TAGGING DHONI (@MSDHONI) IN HIS TWEET TO LET HIM KNOW OF HIS SUPPORT.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni has come under intense criticism after failing to contribute with the bat for Rising Pune Supergiant in the 2017 Indian Premier League season.

The former India captain, who was also replaced as the skipper ahead of the start of the IPL season, has managed just 61 runs from five matches. This has led many to believe that he isn’t playing to his full potential. However, former Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne has come out in support of Dhoni, saying he has “nothing to prove to anyone”

“All this rubbish talk about MSDhoni, he does not have to prove anything to anyone, he’s all class & a wonderful player in all formats. MS is also a great captain & inspires others ! Do you agree ? Let me know (sic),” Warne posted to his Facebook page on Tuesday.

He also posted to his Twitter profile (@ShaneWarne), tagging Dhoni (@msdhoni) in his tweet to let him know of his support.

Dhoni’s RPS teammate Ben Stokes had also spoken in support of the wicketkeeper-batsman after the match in Bangalore.

“He’s got amazing hands. If your foot is out of the crease even by a millimetre, you’re gone,” Stokes had said about Dhoni’s stumping of RCB’s AB de Villiers. The England all-rounder had earlier praised Dhoni when receiving the Man of the Match award in the post-match presentation ceremony. “I think wherever you go, when Dhoni is in your team, it represents a home ground.”

Warne’s comments seem to be in response to Sourav Ganguly’s criticism of Dhoni. Former India captain Ganguly had said last week that Dhoni’s inability to convert innings into milestones was probably an indicator that he is not suited for the shortest format of the game.

“I am not too sure if MS Dhoni is a good T20 player. He is a champion ODI player but when it comes to Twenty20 cricket, in 10 years, he has got one fifty and that’s not the best record.”