There have been huge speculations surrounding MS Dhoni’s future as the captain of the limited-overs team. Undoubtedly the most decorated skipper of the country, he retired from Tests a couple of years ago after a string of poor performances in overseas conditions. With the focus now on the 2019 World Cup, the newly-appointed selectors have a big decision to make – whether to retain Dhoni or not.
But two of the selectors from the outgoing panel has insisted that Dhoni’s captaincy had nothing to do with his place in the team.
“I don’t know why and how this perception has come up that Dhoni can’t be a part of the team if he doesn’t have his captaincy. His fitness levels have certainly gone up. However, it’s up to the present selectors now to decide if they want him in their scheme of things looking at the World Cup in 2019. The current selectors need to have a vision,” Saba Karim, who was the selector from the East Zone for four years, told The Times of India.
When the selectors were asked whether the issue was discussed with the Indian captain, Vikram Rathore, the selector from North Zone, said:“You should ask this to Patil. He is the one making statements these days.”
Rathore said that both Dhoni and the selection panel have a big role in determining Dhoni’s role in the team.
Saba Karim, who played 1 Test and 34 ODIs for India as a wicketkeeper, said that since the country is facing a shortage of quality wicketkeepers, KL Rahul is the best option to replace Dhoni.
“There is a problem with the resources, especially in wicket-keeping. Wriddhiman Saha is just growing into his job in Tests. But in limited-overs, Rahul looks good to don the gloves. His glove work has potential but a lot of work has to be done with wicketkeepers. At the moment, Dhoni is doing pretty well,” Karim said.
Citing the example of Ashish Nehra, Rathore said that age should not be a factor when it comes to picking Dhoni in the team but said that it depends on the selectors.
“One generation of wicketkeepers was lost with Dhoni playing for so long. These days the youngsters like Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant are better batsmen than wicketkeepers. As far as Dhoni is concerned, age shouldn’t be a factor. We brought back Ashish Nehra too. Again, it’s up to the selectors to take the call,” Rathore said.
Karim, who was a part of the selection panel that dropped the likes of Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, said that stature of a player should not be considered when picking the team.
“The key is to not get intimidated in front of someone who has played 100 Tests. The present lot has played enough to judge,” Karim said.
The former wicketkeeper also expressed his disappointment over Sandeep Patil’s recent revelations on Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni.
“This is disturbing. 10 days ago, he said in a press conference that certain things should remain confidential. I feel what he did was not needed and unethical,” Karim said.