Good for India if Dhoni bats at No. 6: Rahul Dravid
Former India skipper Rahul Dravid today suggested that Mahendra Singh Dhoni should consistently bat at number six in Tests as it can potentially change the complexion of the side in abroad series.
Dhoni batted at number six in the just-concluded first Test against Australia and went on to score a game-changing knock of 224 in the first innings.
It was after two years that Dhoni played at number six as the last time Indian skipper played at this position was in February 2010 against South Africa in Nagpur.
In his 116 Test innings so far, Dhoni has played at number six or above only 17 times, mostly featuring at number seven. Dravid said Dhoni’s decision to bat a little up the order was right and he should stick with it. “He has moved up the order a little bit which has given him a chance to play such an innings, batting at number seven is difficult. At six, he will have an established batsman before him and an all-rounder after him,” Dravid said.
“From India’s point of view, they will want him to replicate this abroad and if he can actually bat at number six abroad, it will make India a different side, it will change the complexion of Indian team, the balance of the team will be different,” Dravid told ESPN Cricinfo.
“No one is expecting a 200 from him everytime he plays abroad but a level of consistency abroad will change the complexion of the Indian side,” he added.
India’s next foreign assignment is against South Africa and Dravid wants Dhoni to bat at number six there. “I will want him to be at no 6 and I would like him to make a fist of it at no 6 in abroad as well.... It could allow you to play an all-rounder or someone like (Ravindra) Jadeja at 7 and three fast bowler. Of course Jadeja has to up his own batting. It will give a balance and option to the team. Whether they would have the courage to do it abroad, remains to be seem,” said the 40-year-old cricketer.
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