DHONI SAYS TEAM WILL SEE EVEN MORE SUCCESS UNDER KOHLI
PUNE: Mahendra Singh Dhoni, widely seen as Indian cricket’s best captain, said on Friday the team would do even better under his replacement, Virat Kohli, days ahead of a limited-overs clash with England.
Kohli had a squad of young players and fast bowlers that could produce an unprecedented run of wins, Dhoni said in his first comments to the media since stepping aside from captaining the limitedovers side earlier this month.
Kohli took over, becoming the skipper in all three formats of the game.
“You look at the kind of talent they have got and at the same time the age group they are in,” Dhoni told reporters in Pune, where the hosts will meet England in the first of the three one-day international series on Sunday.
“If everything goes well they have the potential to plan for the next 10-12 years if not more ... We have a pool of fast bowlers who can bowl well in any conditions.”
Dhoni rose from the crick- eting backwaters of India’s Jharkhand to lead the game’s most passionately-followed team, before quitting test cricket in late 2014.
The 35-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman has captained India to the three International Cricket Council trophies - the 50-over World Cup, the World Twenty20 and the Champions Trophy. “This team has the potential to do well in all formats irrespective of where we are playing ... When it comes to winning games, they should win games more than any other captain or team has won,” Dhoni said.
Dhoni said he never believed in multiple captains and he had made up his mind long back to hand over the reins to Kohli, who replaced him as test captain earlier.
“I am somebody who believes... split captaincy is something that doesn’t really work,” Dhoni said. “I always believed that with the Indian team, one player leading the team in all formats is something very crucial.
Recalling the chain of events leading up to his decision, Dhoni said he had informed the BCCI well in advance. He said it had been playing on his mind ever since he quit Test captaincy during the tour of Australia in 2014.
“It was something that was always in my mind. Virat took over the test captaincy and I wanted him to have some time over there and then get into the full captaincy role. He was always ready.”
Asked how quitting captaincy would impact his role in the side, Dhoni said he would continue to give his suggestions and opinions to Kohli.
“Wicketkeeper is always the vice-captain of the side. I will have to keep a close eye on what the skipper wants. I already had a chat with Virat on where he wants his fields. I will have to be aware,” he said.
“I will be there to give as many suggestions to him as and when he wants. I will have to keep a close eye to read the field positioning,” he added.
The 35-year-old said he had thoroughly enjoyed his stint as the leader despite the many ups and downs he witnessed.
“I don’t regret anything in life. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Plenty of good things happened, difficult to pick one. It’s been a journey for me, the ups and downs.
When I started, lot of senior player were in the side. I tried to groom the youngsters. Once the seniors left us, from that point till now, the juniors have done well. They have taken the legacy of Indian cricket forward,” he said.
“It was a journey I really enjoyed and it brings a smile on my face when I think of it. Whether it’s tough or easy, I have enjoyed the overall journey,” he added.
Former skipper mentioned that he never believed in multiple captains. He had made up his mind long back to hand over the reins to Kohli and had informed the BCCI well in advance