India’s campaign in the ongoing T20 World Cup has left a lot to be desired, especially since the expectations were higher than ever before. India is placed in the ‘easier’ group with Afghanistan, Namibia, and Scotland as group-mates. Therefore, it was primed for a group-topping finish. However, the campaign thus far is in shambles. As a result, the newly appointed mentor [MS Dhoni] is at the gun-point of many. In the latest turn of events, Irfan Pathan has also joined that group of people.
Irfan Pathan’s indirect dig at MS Dhoni and management staff
2021 T20 World Cup was expected to be India’s return to trophy holding. After all, this tournament is Ravi Shastri’s last assignment as India’s head coach. It is the very last time Virat Kohli will captain India in T20 format. Last but not the least, this is the first time MS Dhoni is serving Indian cricket as a mentor.
Still, India has lost both of its clashes. Yesterday, a ten-wicket pummel against Pakistan was followed by an eight-wicket thrashing by Williamson’s men. Irfan Pathan has now shared his views on the same. He feels that the second poor showing owes itself to premature changes in the playing eleven. “In any big tournament, you can’t change the playing 11 after just one game and get the desired results. Players need stability and I’m surprised this is happening with some big names taking decisions,” tweeted Irfan, following New Zealand’s win over India.
In any big tournament you can’t change the playing 11 in just one game and get desired results. Players need stability And I’m surprised this is happening with some big names taking decisions. #ind
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) October 31, 2021
It’s pretty much clear that Irfan is taking a dig at MS Dhoni. Or the netizens think so, at least. He’s the “big name” known to provide “stability” to players when he leads Chennai Super Kings in IPL. Be it backing Ruturaj Gaikwad after three consecutive low scores this season, or Shane Watson in the 2019 season… Dhoni has always backed players. Always provided the “stability.” He has never dropped players after just one bad game. Not even after five.
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It really does come off as a surprise that Shardul and Ishan Kishan replaced Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Suryakumar after they failed to deliver against Pakistan. Constant chopping and changing affect the team combo. It also makes the players insecure. It makes them play for their individual places, not the team. While we resonate with Irfan’s view of backing players in their lean patch, we can’t really blame only Virat Kohli, Ravi Shastri, or MS Dhoni for it. It’s the management’s decision as a whole and they have to stand by it.