India's ODI captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has offered to step down from the post following India's shock defeat in the ODI series against Bangladesh. Dhoni had said at the post match press conference that he was willing to step down if it guaranteed success for Indian cricket. But former players expressed their opinion against such a move .
"I am really enjoying my cricket... if it is justifiable if you remove me (as captain) and the Indian cricket will start doing well, and if I am the reason for all the bad that's happening to Indian cricket, definitely I would love to step away and play as a player," Dhoni said at the press conference in Mirpur. "I am always the one who is responsible for anything bad that happens in Indian cricket. Everything that happens is because of me. Even the Bangladesh media is smiling," he said.
But, several former Indian cricketers put their weight behind the beleaguered Dhoni and said that he should continue as captain. Former Indian captains like Bishan Singh Bedi, Dilip Vengsarkar and Ajit Wadekar and players like Chetan Chauhan, Chandu Borde, Syed Kirmani and Kiran More strongly backed Dhoni, saying that there was no need to press the panic button and he is the best bet till the 2016 World T20.
"I don't think Dhoni should be replaced. He recently led India to the WC semifinals and this series is the first series after that. He should continue as captain," Vengsarkar said. Bedi, known for his forthright views on Indian cricket, did not want to single out Dhoni for the team's debacle in Bangladesh. "I am not blaming an individual, rather it was a team lethargy that cost India the series. Regarding Dhoni's captaincy issue, I can't say much. Nothing is coming out clear at the moment. See what he spoke to the media was just out of sheer frustration. He was just being sarcastic," he said.
"That's part and parcel of being a leader. You are lauded when victorious and criticised in defeat. He has already left the Test captaincy. About ODIs, I don't know. But it's the first time I have seen him ruffled and that's not a good sign anymore," Bedi added. Wadekar said that Dhoni was still the best person to lead India in the ODIs and T20s.
"I think he's still the best bet for captaincy in ODIs and T20s. I suppose he should be retained as captain. It was amazing (the loss). They perhaps did not take Bangladesh seriously. They probably did not get enough time to prepare for ODI series," said Wadekar.
Former wicket-keeper Kirmani also backed Dhoni. "I would like to continue with Dhoni. He's a great performer. You need not be harsh on him just because he lost a series to Bangladesh. It's just a passing phase. I think there's always a general feeling that a captain should be removed. All these things come up when a captain loses a series or is in bad form," he said. "England had earlier changed captains but that did not translate into performances. It's after all a team effort. You have to win a few and lose a few. It's a learning process."
Chandu Borde said the Bangladesh series defeat was one off affair and Dhoni should continue as captain. "Dhoni should continue and this is a one-off upset according to me. But it will take some time to recover. Bangladesh surprised us, didn't they. Our boys did not show any intent while the Bangladesh players' body language was excellent," he said.
Former opening batsman Chetan Chauhan said Dhoni is still a capable leader and there is no need for a change of leadership now. "I would not like to hastily arrive at a decision based on one particular series. Also I would want Virat to captain only in Tests this season. For me, Dhoni should remain the captain in ODIs and T20's till next year's World T20 in India. One can think about a change of guard after that. He is still a capable leader and good player.
