Sourav Ganguly's column: We need to ease Dhoni's burden
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly says there's too much on Dhoni's plate. He is leading the team, keeping wickets and batting in all three formats as well as in the IPL. Ganguly says if we don't reduce the burden on Dhoni, we might lose him as a player.
- Sourav Ganguly
- Updated: December 13, 2012 11:51 AM IST
The Nagpur Test is a crucial one for Indian cricket, one of the utmost significance. In terms of it being a defining game, I'd say that it's right up there with the World Cup final in Mumbai in April 2011.
There have been changes to the squad, and some will say that there are others also playing for their futures. I don't believe players carry such a mentality on to the ground, that too while playing for the country. No one loves to lose and any sportsperson, especially in a team sport, is aware of how much his contribution impacts the side's fortunes.
In terms of tough calls being made before Australia arrive for a Test series next year, I believe it's too early to pre-empt things. The selectors have already sent out a message after the Kolkata defeat, and I just hope they will be consistent in whatever they do.
I do favour going down the split-captaincy route because I believe there's too much on Dhoni's plate. He is leading in Tests, ODIs, Twenty20s and the IPL as well. He is also keeping wicket in every game. You can't ignore what's expected from Dhoni the batsman either. There is also the pressure associated with each of these tasks. If we don't reduce the burden on Dhoni, we might lose him as a player. As for whether he should carry on as the 'keeper in Tests, that's for the selectors to judge.
There's intense debate on what course India should take if Dhoni is replaced as captain. Do we have an interim leader, or give the role to a younger man as South Africa did with Graeme Smith ten years ago? I am not the one to pass judgement on this, but in my experience of Indian cricket, no one has been groomed to become a captain. I became captain out of the blue, and even Dhoni was chosen when few were talking about him in such terms.
Instead of thinking about individuals to blame for the recent results and for issues like the decline in our pace-bowling stocks, I would focus on collective responsibility. If we are asking questions about Dhoni, Tendulkar and others, then I believe the support staff and the role they play should be part of the discussion as well.
At the end of the day, though, this is sport and not a classroom. We shouldn't be talking of learning lessons, but of matching abilities. In my mind, there's no doubt that England have played better cricket than India till now. But there is still one Test left, and who can say that India won't come out all guns blazing and square the series in Nagpur?
Just think back to how we were written off after the third day in Kolkata in 2001.