Ravi Shastri clears doubt about MS Dhoni's future till 2019 ICC World Cup

Mahendra Singh Dhoni's place in the Indian team has been a bone of contention for a few years now.

Ever since the keeper-bat retired from Tests in 2014, critics have hung on to every failure he has had in the limited overs.

The 36-year-old, however, has done well to keep fighting back and stake his claim among the Men In Blue.

After a mediocre tour of South Africa, though, questions are once again being raised whether or not Dhoni should feature in the 2019 ICC World Cup.

Giving a glimpse of what the team management thinks in this regard, head coach Ravi Shastri made some emphatic statements recently.

Shastri, in his usual assertive self, argued that the experience Dhoni brings to the table is priceless.

"There is no substitute for experience. That cannot be bought or sold in the market," he was quoted as saying by India Today.

"He'll (Dhoni) go down as one of the greatest one-day players the world has ever seen. And when you have that kind of experience, the level of fitness and what he's maintained."

Shastri also emphasised on Dhoni's finishing abilities, which to be fair have largely been absent of late.

"When it comes to finishing a game or batting in the final overs, there have been very few better than him in the history of the game," he said.

"When you have that cushion of someone like him coming at No. 5, 6 or even 7 it makes a big big difference."

Well, if Dhoni has such strong backing from the head coach, it safe to say he isn't going away anytime soon.