Dhoni batting at number six good for India: Dravid

Former captain praises decision of changing the batting order.

Sufficiently impressed by Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s sizzling double century in the first Test against Australia, former India captain Rahul Dravid opined that the present skipper ought to continue batting at number six, according to The Times of India.

Dhoni had last played at this position in February 2010 against South Africa in Nagpur.

Dravid said he approved of the wicketkeeper-batsman’s decision to bat a little up the order instead of his usual number seven.

“He has moved up the order a little bit which has given him a chance to play such an innings,” said Dravid. “Batting at number seven is difficult. At six, he will have an established batsman before him and an all-rounder after him.

He added that should Dhoni decide to maintain his performance when India go to play abroad, it could contribute towards improving India’s overall performance in venues other than home.

“From India’s point of view, they will want him to replicate this performance abroad and if he can actually bat at number six abroad, it will make India a different side, it will change the complexion of the Indian team, the balance of the team will be different.”

“No one is expecting him to score 200 every time he plays abroad but a level of consistency abroad will change the complexion of the Indian side.”

Bowling line-up a dilemma: Arthur

Meanwhile, Australia coach Mickey Arthur admitted that the tourists may have made a mistake by not picking two spinners for the Chennai Test.

He was, however, quick to point out that most of Australia’s wickets came from pace and little success was achieved by spinner Nathan Lyon who ended up with four wickets for 244 runs.

“That’s going to be the million dollar question,” said Arthur. “It’s easy in hindsight having a look at how the wicket ended up, you probably would have liked two spinners on there. However, our quicks took most wickets. We didn’t get a massive return from spin in this game. I thought James Pattinson was outstanding, so it’s a difficult dilemma.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 28^th, 2013.