MS Dhoni can end Ben Stokes’ career: Sreesanth

It’s tough to keep Sreesanth out of the news. The 37-year-old pacer slammed English all-rounder Ben Stokes on Monday for suggesting that MS Dhoni had ‘little or no intent’ during the 2019 World Cup run-chase against England at Birmingham. 

India were beaten by England by 31 runs in the group match where Dhoni failed to finish the game remaining unbeaten on 42 off 31 balls. Chasing 338 for a win, Dhoni walked out to bat when India needed 112 runs from 65 balls. Stokes, in his book ‘On Fire’, expressed shock on Dhoni’s intent.

“Arguably, the way MS Dhoni played when he came in with 112 runs needed from 11 overs was even stranger. He appeared more intent on singles than sixes. Even with a dozen balls remaining, India could still have won,” wrote Stokes. “…there was little or no intent from him or his partner Kedar Jadhav. To me, while victory is still possible, you always go for broke.”

Slamming Stokes for criticising his former captain’s intent, Sreesanth, on an Instagram live session, said, “I hope Ben Stokes wishes he never plays against Dhoni because he doesn’t forget anything. I wish Stokes all the best because if during the IPL or an India-England match, he and Dhoni cross paths again, whatever the one or two million Stokes has been getting, it’ll all go away. Dhoni may even end his career.”

 

 

 

 

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Ben Stokes Should Pray That He Doesn't Play Against MS Dhoni Again: S Sreesanth !!

A post shared by MS Dhoni Fans Club (@dhoni.bhakt) on Jun 7, 2020 at 9:25am PDT

Sreesanth, who was caught in the middle of the 2013 IPL spot-fixing controversy, will see his ban end in September this year. The two-time World Cup winner challenged Stokes to dismiss Dhoni.

“I openly challenge Stokes to dismiss Dhoni, irrespective of whether he’s the number one all-rounder in the world. Ben Stokes, you’ve been playing for the last four to five years, and since I wasn’t playing, I am really looking forward to bowl to you, brother. Just to answer what you said about Dhoni.”

Stokes and Dhoni played together for Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS) in the IPL 2016 and 2017. Stokes had an incredible 2019 where he not only won the Player of the Match in the World Cup Final but also brought England back in the Ashes series by producing one of the greatest knocks in cricket history. 

Earlier, former Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq had also claimed that India had intentionally lost their World Cup match against England to hamper Pakistan’s progress in the tournament. Pakistan couldn’t make it to the semi-final, whereas India, who only lost against England in the Group Stage, went on to top the points table. However, Virat Kohli’s men’s march was stopped by New Zealand in the rain-affected semi-final.