Review Mahendra Singh Dhoni's Job as India Captain, Bring in Virat Kohli, Now: Mohinder Amarnath

He was never excited with Mahendra Singh Dhoni's captaincy. Reportedly, he lost his position as a senior national selector for demanding Dhoni's resignation in 2011-12. The 4-0 ODI humiliation against Australia has given World Cup-winner Mohinder Amarnath fresh ammunition to gun for Dhoni's head. (When BCCI Distanced Itself From Amarnath's View On MS Dhoni)

Amarnath has once again joined a lot of critics asking for a review on Dhoni's tenure as India's limited overs captain. In spite of a poor 2015 where Dhoni's winning returns have been low, the BCCI has already earmarked Dhoni as skipper till the World Twenty20 in India in March-April this year.

Writing in his column for a leading daily on Friday, Amarnath said it was time for a change in leadership and backed Test captain Virat Kohli to take over immediately. (Selectors Wanted to Sack MS Dhoni: Mohinder Amarnath)

"I am very disappointed with Dhoni, honestly, and the way he has been playing. When you don't play regularly, your form will also be scratchy," wrote Amarnath. Former captains Kapil Dev and Sunil Gavaskar had echoed similar sentiments, saying lack of competitive cricket was hurting Dhoni's form and level of motivation.

Amarnath criticised Dhoni for not "finishing" the Canberra ODI after Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan had laid the foundation with a 212-run second wicket stand. Dhoni scored 0 as India lost nine wickets for 46 runs to collapse to a 25-run defeat.

"The situation was ideal for him to finish the game with just a run-a-ball needed and he just didn't deliver the goods," wrote Amarnath.

Amarnath, a 1983 World Cup winner, has been one of Dhoni's strongest critics. When Dhoni stepped down as Test skipper, Amarnath said India would not miss him.

Kohli settled in quickly and with two back-to-back Test series wins against Sri Lanka and South Africa, Amarnath feels the Delhi youngster was the right man to replace Dhoni.

"He (Kohli) should have been captain on this (Australian) tour. We have a young side and we need a young captain with a young mindset and different approach.

"I know Dhoni has already been named captain till World Twenty20, but it's not too late and may be, this should be reassessed considering the cricket he is playing," Amarnath wrote.

Since January 1, 2013, Dhoni has played 62 ODIs, scored one century (in 2013) and 14 fifties at an average of 49.02. His four ODIs in Australia this year has produced 52 runs with a best of 23.

His captaincy record since January 1, 2013 is average. Dhoni has led India to 30 wins in the 62 matches he has captained. There were 28 losses, one tie and three no results.

The odds are only mounting. So is the pressure on India's most successful limited overs skipper.