New Delhi: Former Indian captain and legendary batsman Rahul Dravid feels that Mahendra Singh Dhoni is still the right man to lead the team but selectors in near future can consider reducing his workload in one format to get the best out of him as a batsman and wicket-keeper. Dhoni's Test captaincy came under the radar after India's eight straight loss.
“From his own personal point of view, you also want to see the best of Dhoni as a player. He has a lot to contribute as a batsman and wicketkeeper and we want to see the best of that," Dravid was quoted as saying in Cricinfo.
"I don't think we want to lose that and if that means at some stage, maybe the time's not right now but in the near future, we have to relieve him of the responsibility from one format to get the best out of him as a player then I think the selectors have to take that call,” he added.
The legendary Indian batsman who retired few months back from international cricket said that even though he suffered seven straight Test defeat, his good record prior to the England and Australia debacle justifies selectors’ decision to give him one more chance.
"Dhoni has every right to survive it, because he's Dhoni. He has had a disappointing last year but he has won India a World Cup, we've been the No. 1 Test side under Dhoni. If you put pressure on him so early in the piece, or if you try to change someone like Dhoni now, I don't think you'll get to see what he's learned from the last year,” he added.
"He has got to have an eye on some of the challenges he faces in his career, to be seen as a good overseas captain as well. That will be a function of the team he gets, but he's got to try and have an influence on the kind of team he gets, the kind of personnel he wants and that's a process that he's got to start now.”
"It's a process of communication and negotiation with selectors, coaches, working on some of the skill-sets of some of the bowlers and young batsmen coming through on what is required in a year's time,” said Dhoni's predecessor.
By Indian Sports News Network