New Delhi: Mahendra Singh Dhoni's surprise statement hinting at his possible retirement from Test cricket by 2013 has invited sharp criticism and backlash from Kapil Dev and Sourav Ganguly, two of India's most successful cricket captains ever.
Speaking on a special show aired on Aaj Tak on Thursday evening, Ganguly labeled Dhoni's statement as a "joke" while Kapil feared that it could even create "a huge rift in the team already struggling to find its feet Down Under."
Joining live from Perth on the show, Ganguly admitted that pressure of losing six consecutive Tests is finally taking its toll on Dhoni.
"He is obviously under a lot of pressure as a player and a captain. I wish he is joking and trying to divert the attention of media after getting tired of answering routine questions about team's poor showing. And if he is really serious, then it is not sensible of him at all to make such a comment 24 hours before the start of an important Test match. I definitely feel that Dhoni does not enjoy Test cricket. His performance in Test and ODI cricket is poles apart and by making such a statement right now, he has also perhaps explained his complete disinterest in the longer format of the game," Ganguly said on Aaj Tak.
Kapil, self-admittedly a great admirer of Dhoni's batting and captaincy, was "shocked" at Dhoni's statement.
"If Dhoni has made up his mind to quit Test cricket, then the same should have been conveyed to the selectors and the board after returning from Australia. His first priority right now should be to win the Perth Test. He made this team No1 and his focus should be to achieve that goal once again. The timing of his statement is completely wrong. It is fine if the team knows about it otherwise the squad can fall apart midway through the tour with players thinking about their next skipper rather than focusing on the game," Kapil said.
"2013 is long way ahead. Who knows whether Dhoni will actually be a part of India's Test XI then or not? But, if he really wants to make a name for himself as a player then scoring loads of runs in Test cricket is the right way. I don't understand that how can one continue to play the game with the sole goal of participating in the World Cup? Also, one should not forget that the 2015 World Cup is in Australia. If you cannot play well Down Under right now, what is the surety of doing it in 2015," Ganguly questioned.
India, already 0-2 down in the four Test series vs Australia, faces hosts in the 3rd Test at Perth starting Friday.
"Team should be brought together in such trying circumstances. But, Dhoni's comment has created a huge doubt, not only in the team dressing room but also amongst the fans back home. There was a time when between 28 to 32 years, a Test cricketer used to peak. He (Dhoni) is only 30 right now. I am amazed that he is already thinking of quitting Test cricket at this age. No cricketer can predict his performance over the next two-three years. Let selectors take the call after looking at an individual's performance," Kapil opined.
