India vs England: Kirmani Slams Mahendra Singh Dhoni for Poor Wicket-Keeping
Former Indian Test wicket-keeper Syed Kirmani feels Mahendra Singh Dhoni has not been outstanding with his glovework in the current India versus England series.
- NDTVSports
- Updated: July 24, 2014 07:54 PM IST
After Farokh Engineer on Wednesday, former Indian Test wicketkeeper Syed Kirmani has slammed Mahendra Singh Dhoni for his shoddy glovework in the current India versus England series.
Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, Kirmani, who was an artist behind the wickets, said Dhoni's poor keeping was due to "lack of form." Kirmani is India's most-capped keeper with 88 Tests. He has taken 160 catches and made 38 stumpings. Kirmani feels Dhoni's keeping has deteriorated with time.
"As the years pass, the performance of an individual peaks," Kirmani said. "I suppose this is what Dhoni is going through right now with his wicketkeeping, he isn't quite as outstanding anymore," said Kirmani, who has been the chairman of the selection committee.
Is fatigue affecting Dhoni's fitness and technique? Kirmani says: "Form will come automatically, it is only a matter of rest for these players of the current era. With the hectic schedule, there is no time for rest."
Dhoni has conceded 24 byes so far in two Test matches. By Test standards, this is quite miserable. Dhoni has missed catches and often shown his misjudgment alongside the slips cordon.
The glaring 'miss' came in the Lord's Test when a Gary Ballance edge off Stuart Binny flew between Dhoni and Shikhar Dhawan at first slip. It was clearly Dhoni's catch. Ballance went on to score a century and give England a first innings lead. India, of course, scored a historic 95-run win at Lord's, courtesy a career-best haul (7/74) by Ishant Sharma.
"First slip always is a little behind the wicketkeeper, Dhoni could have gone for it," he said. "But both of them thought the other would go for it and that's where the ball went - in between them. We can't point to agility, reflexes or movement of a player in this case."
With the third Test starting at Southampton on Sunday, Kirmani wants Dhoni to follow the basics of keeping.
"Go the way you have been going, you will improve automatically. Look at the video footage of where you have made mistakes to know where you stand and where you need to improve. You have the benefit of technology, coaches, support staff, so make full use of that."