MS Dhoni might lose Test captaincy

[J P K]

India's whitewash in Australia - the second in a row overseas for the cricket team - has triggered a big debate in the cricket establishment, throwing up several ideas, some radical, many cosmetic. An idea finding favour with the BCCI bosses is that MS Dhoni should be stripped of Test captaincy. The current front runner for the captain's position is Virender Sehwag. This doesn't mean Dhoni would be stripped of all captaincy - he's expected to remain captain for the limited-overs versions of the game, ODI and T20. For Test matches, though, his captaincy has been found wanting. Meanwhile, Sehwag has made plain that he hasn't got his due (and has begun to view Dhoni as the reason for that) and the cricket bosses think that perhaps he should be given a chance. It's another matter that Sehwag's record as captain, either of India or of Delhi Daredevils, hasn't been great. While all the senior players, including VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid, have clarified that they won't be retiring from cricket as yet, it doesn't mean that both or either will be selected to play Tests. Did 'ego clash' with Sehwag affect MSD? However, what is really disturbing is the talk of "an ego clash" between Dhoni and Sehwag. It's said that this affected Dhoni's captaincy and he couldn't quite assert his authority with Sehwag and a few others. Dhoni also feels that Sehwag could have done better in Australia if had shown greater discipline while batting. The authorities are examining to what extent this dissension within the team contributed to its debacle in Australia. Senior players like Sachin Tendulkar, Dravid or Laxman don't have had a problem playing under Dhoni (or under Sehwag, for that matter), but Sehwag has apparently made his opinions clear: he doesn't like Dhoni's way of handling things, be it in selecting the playing XI, field placements during Test matches or the issue of bringing in younger players. He feels that his views have not been heard. Dhoni's emotional outburst that he was contemplating quitting Tests after 2013 has also not gone down well with BCCI bosses. "There is no point talking about 2013 in the middle of a Test series," an official said. Incidentally, two senior pros who are under pressure to quit, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman, may have decide not to call it a day yet but BCCI officials say that it's apparent that both are past their prime, and it would be wise to blood some youngsters in their place. The names of Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina and Cheteshwar Pujara were mentioned in this context. It was also said that once Yuvraj Singh gets fit to play, he will be an "automatic choice". Times View Changing the Test captain or dropping a couple of seniors may be part of the solution to the crisis facing Indian cricket. But this isn't enough. The rot is much more systemic and cannot be dealt with by mere changes in personnel in the playing XI. What is needed is a thorough, uncompromising review of a whole range of issues including the structure of domestic cricket, the cricket board and the selection panel. Such an honest examination, conducted by professionals, can throw up more meaningful solutions. The board must then have the courage to act on those. Else, we could see couple of seasons of success at home followed by another round of breast beating after a mauling on foreign soil. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/et-cetera/ms-dhoni-might-lose-test-captaincy/articleshow/11670855.cms or http://zeenews.india.com/sports/cricket/change-of-guard-dhoni-to-lose-test-captaincy_736606.html

[ravishingravi]

More sadly, I think we have lost Dhoni. His pragmatism would send shivers down Gordon Ghekko's spine. I mean the guy is cold as it gets. He will just evaluate his balances and his contracts and figure a way out. But I really doubt if the Dhoni of old will be seen again. Maybe in IPL.

[Stuge]

Dhoni as test batsman is pathetic .I won't care even if he is dropped from tests.

[Needforspeed]

No one will have the guts to drop Dhoni. There are too many corporate deals riding on him. Those companies will screw the board. In fact Srinivasan or Srinath will not touch Dhoni. CSK connection. The only way Dhoni can go is voluntarily, and that he will do after all the home series. Maybe things will change once India start losing at home too. And making Sehwag the captain. Simple case of 'From the frying pan into the fire'.

[India-KXIP fan]

About fecking time. Dhoni is not a good Test captain, batsmen or wicketkeeper.

[Number]

Sehwag Dhoni ego clash. :nervous: Kick both of them out of test team. And what the hell is that Yuvraj an automatic selection for tests. :banghead:

[yoda]

I would take Gambhir as captain than Sehwag.

[Needforspeed]

I would take Gambhir as captain than Sehwag.

+1

[akshayxyz]

I don't have any hopes from Sehwag either. His carefree attitude borders on careless/recless-ness. It is general attitude problem and might reflect in other aspects too - captaincy that is.

[asterix]

Rumour mongering by TOI. Expect a clarification from Shuklaji.

[Needforspeed]

I think the press is trolling big time. Most probably this thread will fall in the same category as Ashok Dinda's selection or Laxman's and Dravid's retirement plans. Expecting a denial statement coming in soon.

[vishalvirsingh]

I agree drop Dhoni Dravid VVS Urgently from Test Team, drop gambhir also from test team for a short duration to let him focus on batting , dhoni shud be replaced by saha in tests...sehwag can be asked to bat at no 4 and Sachin shud open with abhinav Mukund in tests..... Ishant shud not be dropped totally from team but shud not play in eleven, sreesanth and Varun aroon shud be picked ahead of him...india test pace battery shud include Dinda,Umesh, Zak, Varun Aroon sreesanth and Ishant...if Sree is fit , he cud play else Ishant...I am in favour of improving ishant n not Drop him......drop VK who is Karnataka class bowler not international class Drop Duncan Drop Eric, get Donald or Srinath to coach or sombody better , not prasad. Get Rohit, Pujara, Mukund, Dinda and possibly Saurabh Tiwary into Tests soon and also if irfan is in form try him.

[saneindian]

If the board has made up its mind, then the toss up will be between Sehwag and Gambhir. But for that to happen, both of them will have to do well in the ODIs, as their own test form has been pathetic and in Sehwag's case absolutely careless. As for the reported ego clash, its a pathetic attempt by TOI for sensationalism when the team isn't doing well.

[NeutralCat]

We need a young captain for a young team, time for VVS, Shewag, Dravid, GG to move on, Ishant can piss off as well.

[Pagalpanti]

This Sehwag-Dhoni spat is made up one. Again Indian media reporting what Australian media are creating to disrupt Indian team. I remember same thing being said in 2009 t20 world cup when INdia did bad but since then India did great?

[The Dark Horse]

Sehwag as captain? He shouldn't be in the team in the first place.

[amiret]

Meanwhile, Sehwag has made plain that he hasn't got his due (and has begun to view Dhoni as the reason for that) and the cricket bosses think that perhaps he should be given a chance. It's another matter that Sehwag's record as captain, either of India or of Delhi Daredevils, hasn't been great. However, what is really disturbing is the talk of "an ego clash" between Dhoni and Sehwag. Dhoni also feels that Sehwag could have done better in Australia if had shown greater discipline while batting. The authorities are examining to what extent this dissension within the team contributed to its debacle in Australia. Senior players like Sachin Tendulkar, Dravid or Laxman don't have a problem playing under Dhoni (or under Sehwag, for that matter), but Sehwag has apparently made his opinions clear: he doesn't like Dhoni's way of handling things, be it in selecting the playing XI, field placements during Test matches or the issue of bringing in younger players. He feels that his views have not been heard.

As much as we would like to believe , The Sehwag-Dhoni spat is NOT made up. What is made-up is the apparent unity for the TV cameras and the gullible fans . Media perception is tightly controlled and managed by the BCCI. I trust the TOI journos have been able to get the inside scoop on the ego-clash in the Indian team. it is natural for antagonism to build up in ANY team that is failing repeatedly.

[amiret]

Rumour mongering by TOI. Expect a clarification from Shuklaji.

Yes , Secretary of AICC and MOS of parliamentary affairs , Shuklaji will speak the Truth as always.

[BeautifulGame]

Everyone criticizing Dhoni's test batting can anyone point me out any former Indian former wicket keeper who had better away record in tests better than Dhoni? Even in current form only Prior has done better than Dhoni as a wicket Keeper batsmen? People need to stop expect Dhoni to produce ODI form in test cricket and view him as a WK batsman not as a pure batsman.

[The Dark Horse]

^ May be not a former wicketkeeper but times have changed. Take his batting out of the equation, do u think he would have been made the captain? More than that there are players like saha doing far better than dhoni both behind and in front of the stumps.