MS Dhoni yearns for fearless youngsters in the Indian side

Indian youngsters are going through a hostile trial by fire in just their first few international matches. The India team’s tour Down Under is tough opportunity to start an international career for them. But Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni feels there is nothing unfair about putting them up against an aggressive Australian side as the team needs a “fearless” set of youngsters at the moment.

India have already lost the five-match series against Australia after losing in the third match in Melbourne by three-wickets. The likes of Barinder Sran, Manish Pandey, Gurkeerat Singh Mann and Rishi Dhawan have not made a resounding impact but the Indian skipper believes it is too early to judge them on performance.

“We need fearless youngsters in the side”- Dhoni

Sran has been decent in his three outings so far, bagging three wicket in the process. Pandey came in to bat at 276/4 with less than four overs left in the second ODI at Brisbane. Pandey managed only 6 runs off 5 balls in the end. He was dropped from the team for a made place for Gurkeerat Singh Mann. Rishi Dhawan also made his debut on the same day.

“When play for your country, irrespective of the situation, it isn’t unfair”- Dhoni

In the post-match press conference Dhoni said, “If you are getting a chance to play for your country, irrespective of the situation, it isn’t unfair. As captain that’s what you have to communicate to these youngsters.”

He added, “There is a lot of scrutiny and players who tend to bat at nos. 5 or 6, they tend to think of surviving till the end and show off as if they are hitting, remain not out in the end and are happy with it. That’s not the kind of culture you want in the team.”

Dhoni revealed the exposure so far may not be a clear indication of their talent but they have certainly shown character. Dhoni said, “When it comes to these youngsters, Pandey in the last game and today with Mann and Dhawan, there was no hesitation of playing a big shot. When you play tough games, it gives you more experience than playing just a normal ODI. This is what has happened with them.

You can’t really judge their performances because they have only batted 12 to 15 balls. But you can judge their character based on those few deliveries.

The Indian skipper added, “That is something you have to encourage, and at the end of the day the captain and the selectors have to look at that specifically. Because it tells you a lot about the character of these individuals, and you want brave people in the side. Winning and losing keeps happening, but you want good characters in the side.”