It needs a lot of courage for a skipper,
who lost 8-0 in two away series followed
by humiliation on home turf, to say he
wouldn’t step down as a skipper. Or wait,
it needs some support as well. MS Dhoni
has both. BCCI chief N Srinivasan’s blue-
eyed boy knows he can dictate terms
irrespective of the results and in spite of
the criticism.
The team environment depends a lot on
how much respect the players have for
their skipper. England had many match-
winners in their squad, but the major
difference between the two teams was
the captaincy of Alastair Cook. The left-
hander played fabulous knocks one after
another, and his approach, despite having
lost the first Test, from the second Test
onwards lifted the entire England dressing
room.
Alastair Cook scored five consecutive
centuries in Tests as a skipper. Dhoni has
five in his entire career. While Dhoni’s
technique for Test matches is
questionable, the major concern should
be the dressing room environment under
his captaincy.
When the players know the truth that
prevented his sacking as a skipper, there
is no reason why they would gel with him.
Because they are thorough professionals,
the on-field chemistry may reflect a
different story, but the truth lies in their
heads and Dhoni’s presence as captain
would surely be hurting them to an
extent.
India have now lost six out of the last
eight Test matches they have played
against England. We might witness a
similar humiliation against the Aussies if
things don’t change. The rift within the
team hasn’t settled either. And
Amarnath’s revelations have made things
murkier. Dhoni’s presence, at least in Test
matches, will continue to spread negative
vibes among the players.
While the fans will remain indebted to
Dhoni for the laurels he has brought as a
captain, they would also remember him
as the only skipper who was retained
because of the support from BCCI chief
and not for his skills.
The team needs a change and Kohli is the
right man to get India out of this
embarrassing situation. His ability to
score runs and his athleticism on the field
can bring the best out of the other
players. The hard-working Delhi lad has
proved his ability with the bat and there
is no reason for any delay.
Kohli should also be given the freedom to
choose his own team. The dynamic right-
hander would immediately want to
implement the transition process in which
India can also experiment with a new
specialist wicket-keeper batman.
Wriddhiman Saha, Dinesh Karthik and
Naman Ojha are the few names who can
play big innings which is expected of a
wicket-keeper batsman.
By now, we all have realised that Dhoni
wouldn’t step down until and unless the
‘support’ is withdrawn. The post-mortem
should begin. And the first step should be
to remove Mr Srinivasan. Indian cricket
will bounce back only after that.
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