Adam Gilchrist : Why the rush to push Dhoni out?

11/11/2016

Adam Gilchrist has expressed surprise at a section of the Indian media calling for MS Dhoni's retirement, saying the Indian limited-overs captain continues to contribute to the team's success. The Aussie great also expects Virat Kohli to finish “right up there, close to Sachin Tendulkar.”

"He's (Dhoni) been an inspirational leader. Just in the recent series, he played a couple of big hands in winning games. What is the rush to push him out? Virat (Kohli) has assumed the Test captaincy brilliantly. Might be a nice smooth, slow transition to allow Virat to settle into that role and then assume ODI captaincy," Gilchrist said on the sidelines of a promotional event in Mumbai.

"I don't know whether the talent at the next level is so compelling that they need to move players on. If that's the case, that's a tough decision for the selectors. I think MS is still offering plenty. He's earned the right to be able to play into the twilight of his career as long as he's contributing."

Drawn into comparing the exciting Virat Kohli to batting great Sachin Tendulkar, Gilchrist described the Indian skipper as a 'next generation player'.

"They're different types of players. Virat is the 'next generation' player. As an opponent you may feel like he'll offer you a chance, but that comes with a risk too. He can take it away from you quickly. Sachin, on the other hand, was so clinical. So often you felt like you just won't get him out, dislodge him. He would just build, build, and build," the former wicketkeeper-batsman said.

"He's (Tendulkar) the best player I've played against, but I think by the end of Virat's career, his record and the way he's regarded in the cricketing world will right up there, close to Sachin."

The Australian cricket team has been struggling lately. A Test series loss to Sri Lanka was followed by an ODI whitewash by South Africa, who have now taken a 1-0 lead in the Test series in Australia.

"I don't think there's anything wrong with them. I think they're possibly just losing the big 50-50 moments in Tests recently. In all those games, they were in a position where if they just continue on, they'd be dominating those games and close them out,” former skipper Gilchrist said.

“Certainly in Sri Lanka in a first couple of Tests they were in a strong position after the first innings, and at Perth, they were in a very strong position against South Africa. Credit to SA and Sri Lanka too. They fought back and didn't crumble and wrestled back that initiative.

"To me, the Australian team is learning as it is progressing. Steve Smith is learning about his captaincy role, and his own technique. I'm not criticising them at all. The reality is that they're learning as they go. After every game, they'll be more improved in understanding in what they've got to do to be successful."

Adam Gilchrist : Why the rush to push Dhoni out?

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