Former India coach Gary Kirsten has come down heavily on those
questioning Mahendra Singh Dhoni's role in the Indian team that has won
every major trophy under their long-serving skipper.
In India for the launch of his wife's book, Kirsten took India to their second World Cup trophy in 2011 but chose to not renew his contract after that.
The
former South African batsman had a special chemistry with Dhoni as the
duo proved to be one of India's most successful coach-captain
partnership - lifting the ICC Test mace in 2009 apart from the World
Cup.
Kirsten, talking to Mumbai Mirror, said he finds no sense in the quit-Dhoni debate.
"The
South African players will be happy if he [Dhoni] wasn't there in the
Indian team. Who is going to replace him? Who replaces him in his
batting position? Virat [Kohli] bats at [number] three. What is his
[Dhoni's] one day average [52.66]? Best in the world? I can't understand
the thinking," the left-handed South African said.
Kirsten reckoned it's absolutely ridiculous to be asking Dhoni to step down.
"Absolutely
not. Why? I don't understand people [who] say that. We look at it from
the outside. Everyone is surprised when people say that. Why must he
go?" Kirsten said.
"I've always said that he is one of the greatest players to have ever played. He will be regarded as one of India's great players if not the greatest captain. His performances tell the story. You just have to look at his performances."
The
former India coach said it's "unfair" to run down one of the greatest
players India have produced, while adding that he is still capable of
winning India games single-handedly.
"I saw some big shots [in Indore]. I saw some huge shots. Do the media do that to other players? Why would they run a player down like that? He is one of the greatest players India have ever had. Would they do that to Sachin [Tendulkar]? I think it's very unfair."
In India for the launch of his wife's book, Kirsten took India to their second World Cup trophy in 2011 but chose to not renew his contract after that.
Kirsten, talking to Mumbai Mirror, said he finds no sense in the quit-Dhoni debate.
Kirsten reckoned it's absolutely ridiculous to be asking Dhoni to step down.
"I've always said that he is one of the greatest players to have ever played. He will be regarded as one of India's great players if not the greatest captain. His performances tell the story. You just have to look at his performances."
"I saw some big shots [in Indore]. I saw some huge shots. Do the media do that to other players? Why would they run a player down like that? He is one of the greatest players India have ever had. Would they do that to Sachin [Tendulkar]? I think it's very unfair."
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