Pune: Former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said on Friday that he did not believe in having different captains for different formats, explaining for the first time his shock decision to step down from India’s limited-overs team leadership.
He said the team would win more matches with Virat Kohli that with him. “That’s the kind of experience and potential they have. They have played in knockout tournaments, they have played under pressure. I firmly believe that this will be the team that will rewrite history. They will do very well,” he said.
Recalling the chain of events leading up to his decision, Dhoni said he had informed the BCCI well in advance. He said it had been playing on his mind ever since he quit Test captaincy during the tour of Australia in 2014.
“I believe that one player leading the team is crucial. It was on my mind when Virat took over the Test captaincy. I wanted him to take over and ease into the job. I wanted to be around for some game and now I finally decided that it was time to move on and give Virat captaincy (of limited overs teams as well),” he said. Asked how quitting captaincy would impact his role in the side, Dhoni said he would continue to give suggestions and opinions to Kohli.
“Wicketkeeper is always the vice-captain of the side. I will have to keep a close eye on what the skipper wants. I already had a chat with Virat on where he wants his fields. I will have to be aware,” he said.
“I will be there to give as many suggestions to him as and when he wants. I will have to keep a close eye to read the field positioning,” he added. The 35-year-old, under whom India won both the ODI and the Twenty20 World Cup, said he had thoroughly enjoyed his stint as the leader despite the many ups and downs he witnessed.
“I don't regret anything in life. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Plenty of good things happened, difficult to pick one. It’s been a journey for me, the ups and downs. When I started, lot of senior player were in the side. I tried to groom the youngsters. Once the seniors left us, from that point till now, the juniors have done well. They have taken the legacy of Indian cricket forward,” he said.
“It was a journey I really enjoyed and it brings a smile on my face when I think of it. Whether it’s tough or easy, I have enjoyed the overall journey,” he added.
More applauds Dhoni’s decision to step down
Former India wicketkeeper-batsman Kiran More believes it is important to have one leader in all three formats and has hailed Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s decision to step down as skipper from limited over cricket.
“Terrific decision by (MS Dhoni). And that’s what Dhoni is, he gives surprises and he knows what is good for Indian cricket. He is a man who takes his call and takes a right call. This is a fantastic decision,” More told in an interaction.
“He looks at a situation where the team should be looking forward and he reads the situation so well and thinks about the way forward and that is what he has done as a captain. Under his leadership, so many players were created,” he added.
Early this month, Dhoni had stepped down as India’s limited overs captain, just days before the announcement of the team for ODI and T20 series against England, paving the way for Kohli.
“Virat (Kohli) is doing very well. He is already captain of Test team and Champions trophy is coming, also there is the next World cup, so it is important to have a leader who’s leading in all formats, it makes lot of difference,” More said on the sidelines of the 13th D Y Patil T20 Cup.
