Mumbai: With the growing success Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper Virat Kohli is achieving on a consistent basis, questions are being raised if it’s time for India’s limited-overs skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni to call it quits from the game.
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Whenever India were on the losing end, particularly in the ICC World T20, questions were thrown at Dhoni asking about his possible retirement from the game. While Dhoni has made it pretty clear on his intentions to carry on in the limited-overs format, his naysayers are waiting for a slight opportunity to pounce on him.
Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly has gone on record to point out that he will be ‘very surprised’ to see Dhoni carry on as skipper till the 50-over ICC World Cup in 2019. The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) is backing Virat Kohli to take up the responsibility.
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"Every cricket team in the world plans their future. But my question to the selectors is three-four years down the line, do they see MS Dhoni as captain of India?" Ganguly told India Today.
While Dada has always lavished immense praise on ‘Captain Cool’, he feels it’s time to pass on the baton to a fresh mind, someone who is performing consistently.
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"Dhoni has been captain for nine years, which is a long period. Does he have it in him to go for another four years? He has already given up Test cricket and now plays only ODIs and T20s," Ganguly said.
There’s a raging debate going around in cricket circles today if Dhoni still possesses his midas touch. Former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir, currently leading Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL, feels a captain is as good as his team. But Ganguly still bats for Kohli to lead Team India in all the formats.
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The 27-year-old Kohli, also India’s Test skipper was the Man of the Tournament in the recently concluded ICC World T20. Kohli is the leading scorer in the Indian Premier League.
"Virat Kohli is getting better every time. He is probably the best in the world in terms of consistency. His mental energy, tenacity is unreal. His attitude on the field is superb. His record as Test captain has been good.
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"So the selectors need to find an answer to whether they see Dhoni leading India in 2019? If the answer is no, then find a new captain. If the answer is yes, which I will find very, very surprising, Dhoni continues," Ganguly said.
Kohli has led India in 17 matches, registering four centuries. Dhoni, 34, has failed to achieve that consistency with his batting order often coming under introspection.
"Decision on appointing Kohli as captain should go in terms of where MS goes from here. There's no disregard to him, he's been one of the greatest captains of the country," Ganguly said.
