Indian legends feel it's time for MS Dhoni to make way for Virat Kohli
Indian cricket team is currently in Australia for a five-match ODI series and a three-match T20 international series but they have failed to register a single win over the course of four matches. They have already lost the ODI series after being defeated in four consecutive matches. This is India’s third successive series loss in ODIs under the leadership of MS Dhoni. Dhoni looks quite unsettled for the first time in his spell as a captain which started off with winning the inaugural ICC World T20 back in 2007. With another World T20 knocking on the door there has been a massive criticism about his leadership role among some of the Indian cricketing legends.
Spin great Erapalli Prasanna feels that time has come to make Virat Kohli the Indian captain in all three formats while Dhoni can continue as a wicketkeeper-batsman in the limited-overs format. Although it has already been announced that Dhoni will lead India in the World T20 in March-April, Prasanna wants the decision to be reconsidered.
Make Kohli captain in all three formats: Prasanna
He said, "I think the time has come to make Kohli captain in all three formats. Dhoni is 33-34 now and there has to be a change in captaincy at some point so why not now? He can keep playing as a player. Ultimately, it is Dhoni who will take the call. If you ask me, let him keep the wickets and give Kohli the charge right away. It is in the team's interest,"
He commented on Dhoni role as a team player, "If you look at the overall scenario, he may be a better batsman than Saha but wicket-keeping wise Saha is equally good. Perhaps Dhoni can carry on and you can still expect a 30-40 run innings from him in the slog overs."
Kohli should have been captain on this Australian tour: Amarnath
Another legend Mohinder Amarnath has also asked for a review on Dhoni's tenure as India's limited overs captain. He wrote in his column for a leading daily on January 22 that it is time for a change in leadership and backed Kohli. He wrote, "Kohli should have been captain on this Australian tour. We have a young side and we need a young captain with a young mindset and different approach. I know Dhoni has already been named captain till World Twenty20, but it's not too late and may be, this should be reassessed considering the cricket he is playing,"
On Dhoni’s performances as a player the former all-rounder wrote, "I am very disappointed with Dhoni, honestly, and the way he has been playing. When you don't play regularly, your form will also be scratchy."
Similar sentiments had been echoed by former Indian captains Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev.