MS Dhoni needs to step up as a batsman:Venkatesh Prasad

former
India fast bowler Venkatesh Prasad was not too happy with MS Dhoni's poor batting display at the Asia Cup 2018 in the United Arab Emirates.

Dhoni has struggled with the bat ever since he joined the Indian team after a successful stint with Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League this year.

The 37-year-old amassed 455 runs in 16 IPL games this year at an average of 75.83 with three half-centuries.

Everybody had hoped that Dhoni would carry that form into the national team as well but the former captain has struggled to score runs consistently ever since.

This year Dhoni has aggregated just 225 runs in 10 ODI innings at a paltry average of 28.12 with a highest score of just 42 not out. After the IPL, Dhoni has managed scores of 37, 42, 0, 33, 8 and 36.

"At the end of the two-week cricket extravaganza in the UAE, Rohit Sharma and Co. emerged deserving Asia Cup champions. With the focus on next year's World Cup, the victory is a big statement of intent by the Indian side. Having said that, it was also a reality check for the middle order, which still looks fluid. MS Dhoni will need to step up as a batsman. Although Rishabh Pant is waiting in the wings, Dhoni's wicketkeeping skills remain sharp and a cut above the rest,"