Chennai: Former Australia cricketer and Chennai Super Kings all-rounder Shane Watson said Monday it was up to the legendary Mahendra Singh Dhoni to take a call on his retirement though ‘he is still playing incredibly well’.
“He (MS Dhoni) has still got the skill. But it is down to him to decide. He still moves incredibly well, runs hard between the wickets and has beautiful hands. Whatever he does, it will be the right thing because he knows what lies ahead,” Watson told reporters on the sidelines of a scholarship distribution event at a school here.
The burly Aussie all-rounder also praised Virat Kohli’s captaincy and said he has done a great job with the Indian team.
“He (Kohli) has done a great job with the Indian team. He has been playing well in all formats. Whatever he is doing right now is certainly working and the team is responding to his leadership,” Watson told the gathering.”
Shane Watson was asked if India could dominate in the manner done by Australian sides of the past led by Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting. The Australian said it’s hard to ‘replicate..but there is no reason why India can’t do it’.
“There is no doubt that India have got the depth in all facets… batting, bowling and fielding. The depth in Indian cricket is incredibly strong. It has got the luxury of having someone like a Rohit Sharma opening the batting and scoring lots of runs. The depth in Indian cricket is incredible… I am sure this team can win away from home as well,” Watson pointed out.
Watson also said Australia were doing well and had depth and felt the team was stronger following the return of Steve Smith and David Warner from ball-tampering bans.
“The Australian team has had its issues in the last year or so. Now that Steve Smith and David Warner have come back and settled well, it has got a very strong team. There is a really good No.3 in Marnus Labuschagne, who did a great job during the Ashes. The fast bowlers are very good and there is depth in the department and Nathan Lyon are performing too. We also have got strong depth,” asserted Watson.
PTI
