3 reasons why India needs MS Dhoni even if he fails with the bat

If ever an Encyclopedia was supposed to be written on reading the game of cricket, Mahendra Singh Dhoni would undoubtedly be everyone's first choice to author it. India has been blessed to have him as a player and a captain for more than a decade.

While many may argue that he is not the batsman he once was, his fitness and sharp acumen has never been doubted or questioned. The current Indian team is currently building up to the 2019 World Cup and with Dinesh Karthik, KL Rahul, Ambati Rayudu and Rishabh Pant all in good batting form and ready to don the gloves, MS Dhoni's place in the side is being questioned considering his recent failures with the bat.

But MS Dhoni is a far better player and his contribution to the side is no longer just hitting big sixes over the head of the bowler.

Here are 3 reasons why India needs Dhoni even if he fails with the bat.

---

#1 Giving captaincy inputs to Virat Kohli and mentoring the youngsters

Dhoni and Kohli

Unlike football, cricket is a captain's game. A lot of captaincy decisions have a direct impact on the result of the game. Batting order, field placements and bowling changes form an integral part of this, especially in the shorter format of the game.

And no one quite does it as well as MS Dhoni. Virat himself has agreed that it is a blessing to have Dhoni in the side who can help him with his inputs that are a result of his invaluable experience.

Even though it is Virat who officially captains the side and makes the decisions, it is Dhoni who largely influences him in making those decisions. This is one of the prime reasons why MS Dhoni demands a place in the Indian cricket team.

#2 Wicket-Keeping, field-placing, DRS skills

Dhoni

While one may argue that MS Dhoni is not the best batsman in India, he is certainly the best wicket-keeper in the country, maybe also the world. His razor-sharp instincts, DRS accuracy, lightning fast stumpings make him a tremendous asset on the field when the side is bowling.

It also allows India's best fielder, Virat Kohli, to field at long on or long off when the spinners are operating, for Dhoni is there to guide them on their lines and lengths along with field placements.

A lot of times, Dhoni takes control of the game in the middle overs and helps the captain and the bowlers with field placements and bowling changes. This makes him a tremendous asset that India can't afford to lose.

#3 Steadying the middle overs, quick singles &laying the platform for the finish

MS Dhoni

When India is batting in a run chase and Dhoni is on strike, hope is never lost. He may not hit sixes at will as he used to do before, but he is excellent in manoeuvring the ball for ones and twos in the middle overs.

His running between the wickets is excellent, so is his ability to hit the ball hard. Instead of coming directly to finish off the innings, Dhoni can steady the ship in the middle overs, laying the platform for the finish.

By doing so, he can also guide other, lesser experienced batsmen on how to go about the chase, when to attack and what shots to play on the wicket. This way, the entire Indian middle/lower order can play around him.