Amarnath believes Dhoni is not even worthy of being on the Test team
Former India selector Mohinder Amarnath has revealed that the calls from members within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni to be stripped of the captaincy have been blocked by president Narayanaswami Srinivasan.
Amarnath noted that board members were absolutely fuming after the national team had been whitewashed by both England and Australia.
“The Board President did not approve the unanimous decision to replace Mahendra Singh Dhoni,” Amarnath told CNN-IBN.
After the appalling Test performance against Australia, Amarnath stated that many members wanted a younger captain leading India in the triangular ODI series that followed.
“We selected the team for the triangular series, selected 17 players but we did not select the captain,” he said. “The captain was selected by somebody else.”
When asked if he had raised questions about why Dhoni had not been sacked, Amarnath said: “When you respect a person you don’t ask questions. But my question is, you have a selection committee those who think what is best for Indian cricket then why they are not given a free hand.
“The selectors thought about stepping down then, Amarnath said, but decided against it as they, “did not want to create a big stir there as the team was playing abroad and the series was going on there.”
According to some reports, Amarnath’s reign as a national selector was terminated after he was expected to become the new chairman of selectors.
Amarnath was also asked to clarify ongoing speculation that the he was told he did not have the power to sack Dhoni unless getting authorisation from senior members.
“Neither will I say yes nor will I deny it, okay,” he said. “I know the facts, and I will tell you the facts when I feel the time is right.” He did go on to say, though, that he was not aware of the constitution. Clause 13(a)(iv) of the BCCI constitution states that: “The President shall approve the composition of a team, selected by the Selection Committee.
“When somebody becomes a selector, I don’t think you are aware of the constitution of the BCCI, I was not aware. I don’t think even the current committee is aware of the constitution.”
According to the Indian Express, Amarnath, along with fellow selectors Narendra Hirwani and Raja Venkat were all looking to sack Dhoni before the Commonwealth Bank series begun in January last year.
“Sanjay Jagdale, the BCCI secretary and convener of the national selection committee, consulted BCCI president N Srinivasan who shot down the proposal,” an anonymous selector told the Indian Express. “Srinivasan made it clear that though the majority of the selectors felt that Dhoni didn’t inspire confidence as Test skipper the time was not right to remove him.”
In any case, Amarnath noted that Dhoni did not even deserve to be on the Test squad.
“If you see his track record for the last one year as captain, I am talking about Test matches, not one-day, he hasn’t done anything,” Amarnath said. “You give a run to a guy. I am not saying you should remove a guy overnight, but if you see a guy is failing again and again, I don’t think it is going to be possible to continue with the same guy.
“I think he should be replaced in Test cricket. I am not talking shorter versions. He is an asset there, he has done very well, he is a match-winner, but with the technique he has I don’t see him do any wonders in Test cricket.
“You have to look at contribution of the players, where you are playing and what opposition you are playing. We have to move ahead with times, and we have to look forward. People who have contributed to the game, we respect them, we adore them, but what is important is future of Indian cricket and not to live in the past. Cricket has changed, age has everything to do in life. We have to look ahead.
“I believe in fresh blood. I was looking forward for a guy like Virat Kohli to take over as captain in one day cricket. I think he is a fantastic player, he is the future.”
When talking about moving forward, Amarnath was asked whether he believes India batsman Sachin Tendulkar should retire or not.
“Sachin has been a great cricketer, a great ambassador, he has achieved everything but I think they way he is playing we see a shadow of Sachin Tendulkar,” he said. “And I don’t accept him to play in the same fashion as he has done in the past. Age is a factor. He is not alone. Look at all greats. Once you cross mid-30s, things become little bit difficult, a little bit more demanding. He is no exception. He has to take it very seriously, and I think the selectors have to have a word with him, what are his plans. Then they should take a call and then decide.”