Former Pakistan pacer feels India has finally got MS Dhoni’s replacement

India recently clinched the 3-match ODI series against Australia 2-1 and now the team is off to New Zealand where they will start their tour with the 5-match T20I series.

India was without MS Dhoni in their home season but still manage to succeed by winning each and every series they played. The ‘Finisher Role’ which Dhoni has donned for long was under the scanner throughout the home season, but Pakistan great Shoab Akhtar believes that India has found Dhoni’s replacement.

“India has finally got MS Dhoni’s replacement”: Shoaib Akhtar

Former Pakistan pace ace Shoab Akhtar believes that India has finally got MS Dhoni’s replacement in Manish Pandey who is capable enough to close the innings.

“Hindustan ko akhir Dhoni ka replacement mil gya,” Akhtar said on his YouTube channel

It is quite evident that Dhoni has not played any international cricket since India’s disappointing ouster from the ICC World Cup 2019 semi-finals against New Zealand. He has stayed away from cricket ever since which even led to his BCCI central contract expulsion.

Akhtar impressed with both Iyer and Pandey

Pointing Manish Pandey as Dhoni’s replacement for the role of finisher, Akhtar was also seen praising India’s newest no 4 Shreyas Iyer.

“India has finally got Dhoni’s replacement. They have found a good fit in Manish Pandey. Shreyas Iyer too looks a complete player and these add depth to India’s batting,” he said.

He further added,

“These players have played a lot in the IPL, they know how to handle pressure, they do not care about big names and hence, end up playing important innings,”.

Pandey didn’t get ample opportunities in the home season courtesy India’s heavy top-order getting the job done. However, he got his opportunities against Australia in the last two ODIs and also featured in the final T20I against Sri Lanka where he scored a quickfire 31 off 18 deliveries.

His small fireworks were enough to impress Akhtar and he didn’t hesitate to mention this on his Youtube channel.