Dhoni's rotation policy defies logic: Former players

Former Indian cricketers on Monday slammed Mahendra Singh Dhoni's controversial rotation policy with one of them saying that it defies logic and another going to the extent of calling it "utter nonsense".

Dhoni had stated that senior players such as Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag have to be rotated to ensure that the fielding standards of the side are maintained.

But the policy has drawn sharp reactions from former players.

Spin legend Bishan Singh Bedi said rotation makes sense only if players are in form.

"I don't know what is the logic behind this rotation policy and what exactly is Dhoni thinking. But for me, the rotation policy makes sense when your players are in good form. But here none of the players are in good form. So where does the question of rotating them comes when they are not scoring?" asked Bedi.

Former captain and chairman of selectors Dilip Vengsarkar said it was fine to rotate players as long as team's winning prospects were not jeopardised.

"Rotation policy is good but (it) should not be a hard and fast rule. One should always strive to field the best eleven players.

"It's upto the (tour) selectors to rest some player if they feel he is jaded and needs rest. As I have said if you feel someone needs rest or is looking jaded and tired playing against the same team, give him rest but at the same time it's important to win. It's a fine balancing act," he opined.

Former spinner Maninder Singh, meanwhile, called the idea "utter nonsense".

"Basically they are okay fielders.. if they are scoring runs then you are fine with it, if they are not scoring runs then they become a liability."

"He (Dhoni) was forced to have a rotation policy because it is not easy to drop a Sachin Tendulkar or a Virender Sehwag. This is a forced rotation policy, I don't agree with it. Rotation policy is okay when there is a winning streak. This is utter nonsense," Maninder said.

Another former player Chetan Chauhan was also completely dismissive of the policy, saying Dhoni erred in questioning the senior players' fitness at a time when the team is going through a tough phase.

"I completely disagree with what Dhoni has said. These three guys were an important part of the team during your World Cup campaign only nine months back. And in nine months they suddenly cannot become worse as fielders.

"I believe that Dhoni is trying to divert attention from his failures of the last two Test tours. This is a time when everyone should stick to each other rather than casting aspersions," he said.

"I have never believed in rotation and if you feel that these three guys are not good fielders, why have them in the team at the first place? The only players in the team who need to be rotated are the fast bowlers because they carry extra workload."

Former chairman of selectors Chandu Borde said the rotation policy should not be applied to just the seniors.

"What I don't understand is why this rotational policy is applicable to only three players. When you say it is a policy it should apply to others also. Having this policy for three players defies logic.

"Dhoni's comments about the fielding of some seniors raises a question whether this rotational policy is put in place because of lack of physical fitness of some players. So the question is are players selected on performance or physical fitness?" he asked.