Mumbai: Left-handed batsman Yuvraj Singh feels that former captain MS Dhoni's presence in Indian cricket team in the forthcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) Men's World Cup is very important.
According to the ICC's official website, on Friday, Yuvraj Singh, at an event in Mumbai, said Dhoni was a great captain for India, and that his experience and "great cricket brain" would prove crucial in high-pressure situations in England and Wales later this year.
Wicket-keeper batsman Dhoni's form has been a hot topic in cricket fraternity for a long time, largely owing to his slow strike-rate. Despite that, big figures in Indian cricket, including Sunil Gavaskar, have thrown their weight behind the former India captain. Now, his teammate Yuvraj Singh has come to back him.
The former India captain Dhoni has also been in decent form so far in 2019 " he was Player of the Series after scoring three consecutive half-centuries in the three-match One Day International (ODI) series in Australia, and guided the chase on a couple of occasions in the limited-overs matches in New Zealand.
"I think Mahi (Dhoni) has a great cricket brain," said Singh, who was Player of the Tournament as India won the 2011 World Cup. "As a wicket-keeper, you are in the best position to monitor the game and he has done that fantastically over the years. He has been a great captain. (He's) with the young players and guiding Virat (Kohli) all the time," Yuvraj Singh said.
"I feel his presence is very important in decision-making. He had a fantastic tournament in Australia, and it is good to see him hit the ball how he used to do. I wish him all the best," he added.
The left-handed India batsman also heaped praises over Shubman Gill, who was part of 2018 Under-19 winning World Cup team. The 19-year-old batsman made his international debut in the ODIs against New Zealand, but despite poor returns of 9 and 7, Yuvraj Singh said his rise so far had been amazing-he carried on his Player of the Tournament-winning form at the ICC U-19 World Cup to the first-class circuit, scoring at least a half-century in his nine matches.
"I was excited to see him (Shubman) play for India," he said. "It is amazing, how he has improved so much. He came back from the (India) A tour, scored lot of runs in domestic cricket, straightaway got an opportunity," the 37-year-old veteran India cricketer said.
Yuvraj Singh, was not part of Indian cricket team in 2015 World Cup in which India lost to eventual champion Australia in semi-final, last played for India in June 2017 against West Indies in ODI. (UNI)
