If Dhoni gets axed, whom will India get, asks Kapil Dev
Kapil Dev became the latest name to voice his support for MS Dhoni by questioning who would replace the veteran should the selectors decide to axe him. Kapil, however, refrained from commenting more on the burning issue and stated that the selectors knew the best way to approach the Dhoni conundrum.
After former Australia skipper Adam Gilchrist had previously questioned India’s backup plan after MS Dhoni leaves the side, it is now Kapil Dev who has asked the same question. The World Cup winner was asked about the recent controversy brewing around MS Dhoni after the latter failed to help India win in the 2 T20I against New Zealand.
“I do not understand why so many people are on his back after a couple of average performances. Age definitely doesn’t have anything to do with it. Sachin was 38 when we won the World Cup and nobody was saying anything then. Even if he is axed from the team, whom will they get?” asked Kapi Dev as quoted by Indian Express.
Things started to heat after Ajit Agarkar and VVS Laxman had questioned MS Dhoni’s place in the squad after New Zealand had levelled the series in Rajkot. Since then, many former players both Indian and overseas, have come in support of the wicketkeeper-batsman.
After Virat Kohli came out in support of Dhoni quite fervently, team head coach Ravi Shastri even went on to call the 2011 World Cup-winning captain’s critics ‘jealous’. When asked about his opinion about the argument, Kapil refrained from stating any and left matters in selectors’ hands.
“I think he (Dhoni) is playing very good. Rest, I leave it to the selectors. They will do a better job than what we have to do. I give an opinion and it will only create confusion in people’s mind. I don’t want to (do that). Let’s leave it to the selectors who are doing this job. They will put a lot of time when he should play and when he shouldn’t play,” said Kapil.
MS Dhoni is expected to join the Indian team when they take on Sri Lanka in the ODI and the subsequent T20I series. Dhoni had announced his retirement from Test cricket back in 2014 and resigned as captain of the limited overs team in early 2017.