After winning the three-match T20I series by 1-2, India lost the next three-match ODI series by 2-1 against the hosts England. After winning the nine consecutive bilateral ODI series, it was the first ODI series defeat for the Indian cricket team.

One of the important reasons for India’s ODI series defeat was the middle-order batting failure. Cricket expert Harsha Bhogle and former Indian left-arm pacer Zaheer Khan have also agreed with this view but they are defending MS Dhoni, who has recently faced a lot of criticism for his slow batting.

While the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup is less than a year to go, India hasn’t settled yet their no.4 batsman as Bhogle feels it is very surprising in a country with so much talent.

Bhogle told Cricbuzz, “India came into this tournament, looking pretty settled, deciding who the number four should be. You’ve tried Yuvraj, Rahane, Manish Pandey and so many others and then India went back towards the end to back Dinesh Karthik and tried KL Rahul. Number 4 is open and I find that staggering in a country with so much talent.”

Also read: VVS Laxman is not happy on KL Rahul’s missing out in the final ODI

While Suresh Raina has failed to impress after returning the ODI cricket around three years later, former Indian skipper and wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni played slow knocks in his last two ODI games (37 off 59 balls and 42 off 66 balls).

Also read: Eoin Morgan is satisfied with team’s growing performances

While Bhogle is afraid on Raina’s white ball future, He defends MS Dhoni as he believes that Dhoni can bat better at number four.

Bhogle said, “Suresh Raina has been around since 2006. He has been a fantastic white-ball cricketer for India but is he still pulling his weight in the side. I love the attitude that Raina brings to a game, but I’m afraid, the answer to that has to be a no. MS Dhoni at six, it’s very difficult to say that about a legend, but he’s not doing it with the bat.

“With Dhoni, there’s a couple of things. Dhoni is also the spin-bowler’s captain standing up. He allows Virat Kohli to go back in the deep and can Dhoni find a new role for himself. He can bat at number four, gets the time or does he just go in at six, seven and start to slog around. But India need to find a solution to MS Dhoni. He’s a legend, he’s too big a player. The decision has to be taken around now.”

Also read: Joe Root feels fantastic to win the ODI series  

On the other hand, Zaheer Khan has also defended MS Dhoni by claiming that the situation was not in his favour as the regular wickets were falling from the other side.

Zaheer said, “He walked out today with a positive intent, but what didn’t work in his favour was that Kohli got out soon. Raina too didn’t settle in well and those two wickets put pressure on Dhoni to play a bit more responsibly. Hardik just got going, but he was dismissed for a peach of a delivery.”