Indian Premier League: Sunil Gavaskar, Dean Jones Debate Over Pune, Rajkot Strengths And Weaknesses
While Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Ravichandran Ashwin were picked up by the Pune team in the Indian Premier League players draft, the likes of Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja went to Rajkot franchise. The selection by both the new franchises has presented an interesting situation regarding their strengths and weaknesses.
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There was a buzz when the Pune and Rajkot franchise sat down to pick their players in the Indian Premier League players' draft. (Indian Premier League 2016 Players Draft: Pune Grab Mahendera Singh Dhoni, Suresh Raina to play for Rajkot)
Soon the drama would unfold as Pune snapped India's limited over skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni as their first draft pick for Rs 12.5 crores. Rajkot had an ace of their own, as they snapped IPL's leading run-scorer Suresh Raina, for an identical figure.
Besides Dhoni and Aswhin, Pune team also boasts of Ajinkya Rahane, Australia captain Steven Smith and South Africa's Faf du Plessis. (IPL 2016 Players Draft Highlights)
The Rajkot team after picking Raina successfully bid for 'home' all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum and Australian all-rounder James Faulkner and West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo.
Speaking to NDTV, former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar and former Australian batsman Dean Jones analysed the strengths and weaknesses of which team was stronger following the draft.
Rajkot A Bit Stronger Than Pune
Jones said the Rajkot teams looks a stronger team as they have better bowlers comapred to Pune, which happens to be top-heavy.
"In order to win Twenty20 games, one needs to have good defensive bowlers to win. Dwayne Bravo and James Faulkner bowl well at the death, while Jadeja does a good containing job. Pune have picked batsmen but they are top-heavy," said Jones.
In previous seasons of the IPL, Faulkner and Bravo were the designated death bowlers for Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals respectively.
However, Gavaskar differed as he felt that the presence of Dhoni and Ashwin made Pune a formidable side.
"Dhoni can turn the match on its head while Ashwin is in incredible form," said the former India opener.
In the recent Test series against South Africa, Ashwin ended up with 31 wickets. He has had a fabulous 2015 with 62 wickets in nine Tests.
Dhoni Much Better Option Than a Foreign Captain
Under Dhoni, CSK were the most consistent side, having won two IPL titles and two Champions League Twenty20 titles and could be a telling factor feels Gavaskar. (Suresh Raina Could Be Skipper of Rajkot Team in 2016 Indian Premier League)
Besides his leading abilities, Dhoni presence should also be a force to the new franchise.
"Dhoni is a great buy because he is a massive brand in Indian sport. The kind of leadership qualities that he brings as the leader and player is valuable. In IPL, it makes sense that team has an Indian captain. He knows local players, knows the weaknesses and strengths of local players. And you need an Indian coach if you make McCullum the captain," Gavaskar said.
Although Jones agreed that Dhoni is a wonderful captain, he reiterated that the skipper was not everything, "Captain is not everything. It boils down to the better death bowlers in a T20 match as 200 has been chased very often."