M S Dhoni should be rested as captain from all 3 formats: Sunil Gavaskar

Batting great Sunil Gavaskar reckons that Mahendra Singh
Dhoni should "take a break" from Indian cricket captaincy
and Virat Kohli will be an ideal replacement as he can bring
in the "necessary flair like Tiger Pataudi."
"It's still early days as far as 2015 World Cup is concerned
but I believe that a break in captaincy will do wonders for
Dhoni. I am not saying that it has to happen during the
middle of a series but may be after the Australia series or
later part of 2013. We need to have a look at that,"
Gavaskar said.
The legendary opener felt that a break might give Dhoni an
opportunity to put things into perspective and reflect on his
game and leadership.
"The break might be a voluntary one or an enforced break.
But he needs time to reflect on his game and come back in a
better way. I am very impressed in the manner he remains
cool and unlike other captain doesn't clap and all but a little
break won't be bad. Captaining India is a high privilege but
the demands and pressures that come with it are
incredible," Gavaskar said.
Gavaskar named young Virat Kohli as Dhoni's possible
successor.
"I could be wrong but Virat Kohli might bring the flair of
Tiger Pataudi in his captaincy. If he knows that he will be
appointed for long term, he has the dynamism, the
aggression, panache and class. I like everything about him
apart from his mouthing abuses when he reaches a
milestone. I don't want him to change anything else as he
can bring a lot of dynamism."
When asked whether Dhoni could remain in the team only
as a player, Gavaskar answered, "Why not? He can be part of
the team for the next couple of years as he is a match-
winner."
One of the most prominent voices of Indian cricket,
Gavaskar questioned the logic behind the national selectors
reportedly asking Dhoni for a blueprint of World Cup 2015.
"I am a bit surprised because the selection committee gets
one year term and how can one be sure that they are going
to be there in 2014 to prepare a team for 2015."
With reports emerging that coach Duncan Fletcher's contract
may not be renewed after the Australia series, Gavaskar said
that an Indian should be appointed in the hot
seat.
"I would like it to be an Indian coach or somebody who is
like Gary Kirsten. Kirsten had scored lots of runs in ODI and
Tests and brought along a certain work ethic as he had done
it all. If you have a champion cricketer, he can help you get
better."
Gavaskar was speaking to NDTV today.