New Delhi, June 25:
Former skipper Sunil Gavaskar and other ex-cricketers today said in unison that one should refrain from drawing comparison between Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his predecessors, insisting instead to rejoice India’s success in the ICC Champions Trophy.
Dhoni is now the only captain in the world to win all three major ICC trophies including Twenty20 World Cup, the 50-over World Cup and the Champions Trophy.
Asked if Dhoni can be called India’s best-ever captain, Gavaskar said any comparison would be unfair.
“Generations cannot be compared, eras were different so it’s not fair to compare. Surely he is one of the best India has had. Results speak for themselves. He took India to number one in Tests, won 2011 World Cup, T20 World Cup in 2007 and now the Champions Trophy. We should be rejoicing (instead of making comparisons),” Gavaskar said.
Former batsman Ajay Jadeja also had similar views and credited the system within the BCCI for entrusting the job of leading the side to Dhoni at a time when a lot of seniors were around.
“Demands were different… When Pataudi took over India were trying to play and do something different. When Azhar took over… Somebody in the system thought that Dhoni was the right choice when there were a lot more experienced players.
“He has worked with different kind of players, teams which had no experience. He led all kind of men, great as well as ordinary,” Jadeja said.
Former India fast bowler and bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad also felt that there should not be any comparison. He said what sets Dhoni apart was his decision-making.
“It is absolutely tough, all captains had different set of players, different combination of selectors. Dhoni gave freedom to his bowlers, he backs his decisions, his field positions are weired but he goes by his instincts. He has given the confidence to the players,” Prasad said. (PTI)
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