Looks like the wounds from the 1-2 series loss to England at home after 28 years are not going to heal quickly.
During the series, Firstpost had a discussion with Ayaz Memon on how MS Dhoni would be the most vulnerable member of the Indian squad in case we lost at home. And after the series loss to England, this is exactly what has come to pass with ex-cricketers not mincing their words in voicing their discontent.
Bishan Singh Bedi was quoted in a report in Hindustan Times as saying: Dhoni was never a Test skipper. He is far too negative, especially while setting fields. His success had a lot to do with providence.”
File photo of Bishan Singh Bedi. AFP
He then endorsed Sunil Gavaskar’s view that it was time Virat Kohli was made Test captain.
Ex-skipper Bedi also criticised the spinners, saying: ”They look more like four-over bowlers. How many of them have been bowling 40-45 overs in Ranji Trophy? That is where you hone the skills.”
Since the defeat to England, Dhoni has also come under fire from former selector Kris Srikkanth, who said that he would have replaced Dhoni as Test captain if he was still chief of selectors.
Pressure on Dhoni has been building up since the loss in Kolkata, and was increased further after 1983 World Cup hero Mohinder Amarnath revealed that Dhoni was on the verge of being sacked after the Australia debacle — only for BCCI bosses to intervene and save him.
However, recently retired Rahul Dravid has offered some support to Dhoni. He was earlier quoted as saying: “I don’t really see a viable alternative and still believe that Dhoni can be the man to take India forward if he has the energy, passion and the enjoyment to do it.”
Click here to read the full Hindustan Times report.
