Dhoni row: Former chief selector Srikkanth takes on Amarnath

Former chairman of selectors Kris Srikkanth clarified MS Dhoni's selection and says selection matters should stay behind closed doors.

Referring to Mohinder Amarnath's disclosure that BCCI chief blocked Dhoni's removal from captaincy; Srikkanth said it was not right to speak about selection meetings in public.

Former selector Mohinder Amarnath has opened a can of worms by stating that selectors wanted Dhoni to be sacked but they were overruled by BCCI President N Srinivasan.

Srikkanth, who headed the panel which persisted with Dhoni as captain despite the whitewash in England, today said that it was not appropriate to reveal the details of committee meetings.

"I have always maintained that whatever happens in the selection committee meetings should remain within the four walls. It's just like a company's Board meetings where lot of discussions happen about what to do and what not to do for the company's growth. But nobody comes out in public and tells what (has) happened," Srikkanth told reporters here.

"There are arguments in the selection meetings. We always have detailed discussion on captaincy issues, ex-players, team combination. But at the end of the day there is always consensus, because we believe it's for the good of the country and for the team," Srikkanth said.

Refusing to give pointed reactions to the allegations made by Amarnath, Srikkanth said, "We discuss a lot of issues in the selection committee meetings, captaincy of Dhoni or X,Y,Z always come up in the meetings.

Srikkanth said the focus should be diverted from the controversies to ensure that the team, which is currently playing to save the series against England, is not distracted.

"We should just move on. Yes, Indian cricket is going through tough times and let's hope we do well in the Nagpur Test match and revive," he said.

Srikkanth said during his tenure as chief selector, he never shirked responsibility for the team's debacles.

"Whatever decision we take is for the good of the country. Sometimes our selection clicks, sometimes it doesn't. It was the same selection committee which won the 2011 World Cup. None of you gave credit," he said.

"When we lost badly in England, Australia and what not. I never shied away from the blame," he added.

On Wednesday, Amarnath told NDTV that it was because of BCCI's interference that Dhoni wasn't dropped ahead of the tour to Australia.

Amarnath said he was shocked when the selectors' decision was overruled. "N Srinivasan overruled Dhoni's removal," he said about the BCCI president, stating that the selectors wanted Dhoni dropped after the Australia tour. "Why do you need selectors if one man has to be at the helm of everything," he told NDTV adding that selectors should have a free hand and that he is not angry with anyone.

"I'm not angry with anyone. I don't want any controversy, but I was pushed to wall (when he was the head selector). Selectors should have a free hand, one just can't overrule their decision," he said.

The World Cup winning cricketer said that if Dhoni is burdened too much by the responsibility or if there's a need of dropping him, India can go for separate captains for different formats.

He, however, clarified that there is no animosity with the current India skipper.

Former India captain and NDTV expert Sunil Gavaskar, however, said it is protocol for the final team chosen to be sent to the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

While Gavaskar conceded that unanimous decisions usually should be looked into, there are different layers and processes. "It's protocol actually. The protocol is that any team selected does go to the Board for approval, not just the captain but the 14 or 16 that is selected for a Test or an overseas tour. It's not just in India but I understand that's how it is even in Australia and England," he said.

Speaking on Sachin Tendulkar, Amarnath cited that though there's no doubt about the Master's greatness, everyone has a time to go. "Indians are very emotional and we hang on to our past," he said. "Sachin is a great player, but one can't play for forever. He's not the same anymore."

The 62-year-old's final suggestion was that meetings of selection committee should be broadcast live on television so that there is clarity in matters. "Everything has to be done in a professional manner."

(With PTI inputs)