UK-based Farokh Engineer feels skipper Dhoni should have gone for the kill in Cape Town, but backs him to win series in England this summer
UK-based Farokh Engineer feels skipper Dhoni should have gone for the kill in Cape Town, but backs him to win series in England this summer
Natural instincts don't die easily. India may have done a commendable job by squaring the Test series for the first time in South Africa, but former India wicketkeeper-batsman Farokh Engineer, who was known for his aggressive batting, felt Mahendra Singh Dhoni & Co should have gone for the kill.
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| MS Dhoni. Pic/getty Images |
Chasing 340 on the final day of the Cape Town Test with 10 wickets in hand, India ended at 166 for three yesterday.
The 72-year-old said the Indian skipper should have taken his chances of winning the match. "If Sehwag fires, he can rattle any bowling attack in the world. But after losing him early, Dhoni should have promoted himself and taken a chance. We always had senior players to fall back on had the plan failed," Engineer told
MiD DAY from Lancashire (England).
However, overall, Engineer termed the result 'fair'. "The team management made a wise decision to draw the match once we lost Sehwag because we anyway retain the No 1 position.
As good as winning
"And squaring the series in South Africa is as good as winning it," said Engineer, whose finest moment as a batsman came against a full strength West Indies team at Madras (now Chennai) in 1966-67 when he smashed 94 before lunch on Day One.
Meanwhile, Engineer, who was also delighted with the way England are cruising to a historic Ashes victory Down Under, dismissed former pacer Darren Gough's comment that Andrew Strauss team can beat India 'every day of week' recently. "There is no doubt that England is playing excellent cricket at the moment, but India can definitely beat them when they travel to the UK," he said.
Engineer is also willing to offer his services as a consultant to the Indian team for the England tour in July. "I am willing to work for free. I only want to help my country win against them. I know this English team in and out. I can definitely make a difference to the Indian team," he signed off.
