Mumbai: Mahendra Singh Dhoni will have a massive role in India’s bid to regain the World Cup, coach Ravi Shastri said Tuesday, harping on the veteran’s ability to influence the game’s little moments.
“Massive as it has always been,” Shastri said.
“He is right there, his communication has been fantastic. As a keeper, he has shown over the years that no one is better than him in this format, not just in taking catches, inflicting those run-outs or stumping, these are little moments in the game which can change it on the head and there was no one better than him,” he said.
Shastri said he was impressed with MSD’s footwork during the league. “It is great to see the way he was moving in the IPL especially when he was batting, the footwork, the power with which he was hitting the shots, he will be a big player in this World Cup,” Shastri said.
Shastri said it would be the most challenging World Cup considering the quality of the opposition teams and the change in format. “It will be very challenging. If you look at 2014 and 2019 now, the gap has become closer between the teams. West Indies, on paper, is as strong as any other team.”
