MS Dhoni Takes Pride in Wearing India Cap: VVS Laxman to NDTV
After India's shambolic series defeat in England, Mahendra Singh Dhoni's captaincy has come under the scanner. However, Sunil Gavaskar and VVS Laxman came to the under-fire skipper's defence and said he was the sort of cricketer, who was always looking to improve.
Former India cricketers Sunil Gavaskar and VVS Laxman defended skipper MS Dhoni after questions were raised on his captaincy at the back of India's 3-1 Test series defeat in England.
Dhoni was criticised for some of the selection in the course of the five-match series, even as he scored four half-centuries to ensure India managed more or less respectable totals on the board. (India will be bullied in Australia: McGrath)
Speaking to NDTV in a special show on Monday, both Gavaskar and Laxman felt it was unfair to target Dhoni, for he had taken Indian cricket to great heights under his leadership. (Indian loss greeted with furious headlines)
"MS Dhoni fought it out, both at Old Trafford and Oval. He curbed his natural instinct and scored runs when India needed them. Had he not scored runs, India would have been bowled out under 100 a couple of times," said Gavaskar. (Cook's wife convinced him to stay on as England skipper)
Dhoni had fallen for a duck on Sunday as India collapsed to 94, their lowest total in the series. (Former players want Duncan Fletcher to be axed)
The Indian captain had scored a gutsy half-century in the first innings at The Oval and at Old Trafford and those knocks drew praise from Gavaskar, who has been scathing in his criticism of the Indian team's performance in England: "The way Dhoni fought it out gave me the impression that here was a man who was ready to fight it out for his team"
Laxman, who had played with and under Dhoni, also came to the captain's defence and said notions that he does not care about Test cricket are not true.
"Dhoni cares about Tests. He is a captain, who is always thinking of improving. When a captain tries to improve and the team does not respond to challenges, that is tough.
"What can a captain do when the team loses wickets in the first 10 overs? Dhoni takes a lot of pride in wearing the India cap. He has had success as Test skipper also. He was captain when India was number one," Laxman said.