Mahendra Singh Dhoni Plays For India, Not Critics: Sunil Gavaskar

Praising Mahendra Singh Dhoni for his match-winning knock on Wednesday, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar said that the Indian skipper was never the one to be bogged down by criticism. (India Defeat South Africa in Second ODI)

Dhoni had faced the wrath of his detractors after he failed to score quick runs in the latter stages of the first One-Day International in Kanpur, which India lost by five runs. (Mahendra Singh Dhoni Takes a Dig at Critics)

Three days later, Dhoni snubbed his critics with 86-ball 92, which helped India level the five-match ODI series 1-1. (MS Dhoni Credits Bowlers For Win)

"Answering the critics is never Dhoni's style. He is never bothered about what people say about him," said Gavaskar.

"In a democratic country like India, there can be diverse opinions. Sometimes the media can also criticise a player. But the media is doing what it thinks is right for them, it may not be right for the team," he said.

Dhoni may have missed out on a possible century, but Gavaskar reckons his knock was as good as a century.

"Dhoni's unbeaten 92 was worth 140. When you are batting down the order then it is very difficult to score a century. For the top-three batsmen it's easier because of the number of overs that one gets but not at No. 4 or No. 5 position," Gavaskar told NDTV.

The 66-year-old lauded the Indian team for keeping constant pressure on the South Africans.

"India kept the pressure throughout while bowling. They always kept their head up and though there was little turn available. The Indian spinners did not lose heart. It was also a brave decision by Dhoni to play three seamers," he said.

Gavaskar was hopeful of Amit Mishra's return to the side for the next game, which will take place at the Saurashtra Cricket Stadium on October 18.

"In this particular batting line-up, it is very important for Harbhajan Singh or Axar Patel to bat well. Also, in the next game Amit Mishra might get a look-in and he will have added responsibility."

When quizzed about the umpiring Gavaskar opined that the time has not yet come to criticise the umpiring.

"I don't know if the Indian team has lodged an official complaint about the umpiring standard at not. But for me, like the players, the umpires may also be off-colour on some days. The odd decision is going to go wrong, it's all part of the game. It can happen," he said.