Nagaraj Gollapudi’s made these comments on the India-Afghanistan World Cup 2019 Group game on 22 June 2019: “India’s middle order, commanded by Dhoni, struggled for intent, ideas, and inspiration.” I agree with Nagaraj. You know what – India has to be ” brutally ruthless” when it comes to team selection and batting order setting in this ODI World Cup (2019), if they want to win it. Yes, they cannot drop MS Dhoni despite the fact he dot-balled 30 deliveres against Afghanistan nearly costing India the game the other day. Make no mistake – I am not calling for the axe on Dhoni. His value as a reliable keeper, astute field-setter and wise bowler-advice-giver in the death overs (freeing Captain Kohli to do some boundary-riding) are unmatched. But the one who promoted himself up the order to give India the World Cup in 2011 now needs to demoted down the batting order as much as possible if India has to take a serious shot at winning this World Cup (2019 Cup) [We can’t be stuck up with the past glories]. There should be no room for sentiments or “respect” for seniors, here. For me the batting order would be this: 4. Rishabh Pant 5. Hardik Pandya 6. Kedar Jadhav (if Kedar is not going to bowl, I personally prefer the more-agressive Dinesh Karthik who is also a better fielder). 7. Dhoni. Dhoni should come when India has just one or two overs so that he has no choice but to go for the big shots. I don’t mind him getting out the first ball, trying to hit a six. There is no place for a blocker/slow-coach like he is now sadly is (at the start of the innings) in the world of modern ODI batting. Flush away foolish, unhelpful sentiments. Be business like at the business end of the World’s most important tourney, Virat Kohil! P. S. We could also try Rishabh Pant as the opener with Rohit Sharma, and put K.L. Rahul at no. 4 (as he is the best at no. 4 in the current Indian 15). The Straight talk which Apostle Paul had with the Church Stalwart and Senior-to-Him Apostle Peter in Galatians 2 (“You are too slow in mixing with non-Jews, for whom Jesus also died!”), Captian Virat Kohli should have with his senior, the legendary Dhoni (“You will be batting not before 49th or 50th over, that too, only if we need you to, Dhoni Bhaiya! I hope you understand!”). This reminds me of a spiritual lesson – How many of us pass-off false teaching just because some world-famous mega-church senior pastor or spins it?! We should know better. It is biblical to oppose false teaching even if a supposed angel preaches it (Gal. 1:8). Come on – don’t be bashful when it comes to being biblical!! – Duke Jeyaraj (enthusiastic part time Cricket Analyist and Full Time Preacher/Writer). Click on http://www.dukev.org to know more.
