MS Dhoni rues lack of allrounders in side

Mumbai: India limited over captain MS Dhoni said lack of quality seam bowling all-rounder in the squad hampers his team’s chances outside the sub-continent.

Talking ahead of team’s departure for the Australia tour, which includes five ODIs three T20, the 34-year-old said, “If you see the teams that have been consistent at the top level, all have got good seam allrounders. That is something we are lacking to some extent and it affects us when we are touring outside the sub-continent.”

Keeping the conditions in mind, selectors opted for Himachal Pradesh bowling allrounder Rishi Dhawan for the Australia tour.

When asked if it was a right decision to play in Australia ahead of the T20 World Cup, where the conditions are completely different, Dhoni felt playing against the Steven Smith-led team is always a good experience ahead of tournament like the World T20.

“Australia always play competitive cricket. When you compete against Australia you tend to get more experience. Though the conditions will be very different to T20 World Cup, but it’s good to have three T20’s together, because more often than not, we get to play one match in the bilateral series.

“Now, with the T20 series, we will have ample of opportunities to try and work on the best possible combination, which will help us to be better prepared for the Cup.”

Team India have a string of uncapped players in Rishi Dhawan, Gurkeerat Singh and Hardik Pandya, but Dhoni felt that the Australian series will help these youngsters to get a feel of the international cricket.

“The current younger lot have performed consistently at the domestic level and this will give them an opportunity to perform at the highest level. To see how international cricket is different to first-class cricket. Quite a few will get a chance to play in Australia. This will help us to see how good they are once they take a leap forward into the international arena.”

The 2011 World Cup winning captain said the team will miss Suresh Raina in the middle-order. The left-handed batsman was dropped from the ODI squad but will be part of the T20 team in Australia.

“If you see we have been struggling to find the right guys for the number six spot. We have tried different players, but none of them have managed to make a mark.

With Raina, he may not be consistent at that spot, but he always makes runs when the team requires. Down Under may be I will take that responsibility of playing at the number six position.”