Dhoni proves himself as wicket keeper-batsman :Saba

Jamshedpur, Feb 22 (UNI) Former test stupers Saba Karim said Mahendra Singh Dhoni has proved himself as wicket keeper-batsman in the team.

Talking to a group of visiting media persons in Kolkata, Saba said ''Although Dhoni is' murdering' the bowlers with his powerful stroke play but he would have to be careful as he plays more matches, the dashing Jharkhand player will be exposed to the bowlers, who will come to know about his shortcomings, if any.'' ''But I think Dhoni is talented enough to adapt himself with the situation and would continue to play his natural game,'' said Saba, who is at presently working with steel major Tata Steel as manager in corportate communications in Kolkata.

When asked how he rates Dhoni as a keeper, the former team India gloveman said, ''Dhoni's work beind the stumps is improving''.

Saba, who played for Bihar till 2000-01 before coming to Bengal, opined Dhoni should have played for India at least one year back.

About the future of the former team India captain Sourav Ganguly, who is also an employee of Tata Steel, Saba said ''Despite his fine records in shorter version of the game, the south paw's chance to come back in the one day squad against England looks bleak. But he might sneak into the test squad in place of in-form middle order batsman Yuvraj Singh, who is said be injured.'' Expressing his sympathy with Sourav, under whose captaincy Saba played one dayers and test matches, he said the former captain should have been given a better treatment.

Saba said the performance of the 'youth brigade' in team India under the coaching of Greg Chappell and Rahul Dravid was commedable and hoped the team would maintain the same spirit in the home series against England too.

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