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Dhoni at No.4 will have more impact: McCullum

MS Dhoni's latest move to bat higher up in the order has found yet another fan in Brendon McCullum.India vs New Zealand - Complete Coverage

McCullum, who has been both an opponent and a teammate to Dhoni with Chennai Super Kings IPL team, believes the move will result in the India captain making more impact in the game.

Was McCullum surprised after Dhoni silenced his critics, at least for a while, by scoring a crucial 80-run knock after promoting himself up the order to No.4 in the third ODI against New Zealand in Mohali?

"I am definitely not surprised. He is a terrific leader. I think now that he doesn't play Tests and his focus is squarely on limited overs means he can have more impact in the game. That is why probably he has pushed himself up in the batting order. And he has delivered. That is what world class players do,” said McCullum.

The former Kiwi skipper is accompanying New Zealand Prime Minister John Key on his four-day visit to India.

Bazz also praised India's batting superstar Virat Kohli, who is in the form of his life.

"Yeah, definitely he is among the current top three (batsmen). I think he has been for a number of years now. With what he does in Tests and one-day cricket, he also had a fantastic IPL this year as well. His ability to be consistent in what is quite an inconsistent game, is a mark of how world class he is. And he is just 27. I think we should just enjoy the fact that we have got one of the geniuses at work over the next few years," said McCullum.

However, McCullum said that it's difficult to compare Kohli with Sachin Tendulkar.

"I think we should just enjoy the guy who is at the top of his game and is entertaining crowds all around the world. I think comparisons are so difficult in this game, there are different conditions, different eras, different circumstances but we should not fail in recognising that we have got an incredibly good player who is operating on the world stage at the moment," said the inspirational leader, who took New Zealand to their maiden World Cup final in 2015.

McCullum also added that it can only be good for the Indian team if Dhoni and Kohli bat together more often, just like they did in Mohali on Sunday.

"You have got two very experienced cricketers who are very calm under pressure and know to win games. Chasing scores is not easy and they understand the art of it. The other teams will hope that they don't bat together too often but for India's sake, you are enjoying the fact that two of your leaders are performing in pressure situations."

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