MS Dhoni to remain as India limited-overs captain despite poor results
Monday 18 January 2016 12:01, UK
MS Dhoni's job as India's limited-overs captain is safe despite them slipping to a third successive one-day series defeat, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has said.
Dhoni retired from Test cricket in 2014 but remains in charge of the team in shorter formats, despite the recent downturn in form.
The 34-year-old has previously enjoyed success in the role but under him, India lost their first ODI series in Bangladesh in June last year and were beaten by a visiting South Africa team in October.
A three-wicket win for Australia in Melbourne on Sunday meant the home side took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series to increase the pressure on wicketkeeper-batsman Dhoni.
But BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur has stood by Dhoni, insisting he is the man to take the team forward in limited-overs cricket.
"The kind of performance we have had from Dhoni and the team under him in the last eight-nine years, I think it's unfair to question his leadership after just one series," he said.
"Dhoni is one of the most successful captains of the country. Under him, we won the [Twenty20] World Cup in 2007 and [ODI World Cup] 2011.
"Team India rose to number one both in Tests and ODIs under his leadership.
"Unfortunately we lost all three matches so far, and we've noticed our bowling limitations too, not being able to defend big totals.
"It's a concern and the selectors and team management would assess the performance keeping the Asia Cup and the Twenty20 World Cup in mind."
Dhoni himself believes the key to improvement lies with the side as a whole rather than with his captaincy.
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"It's not about the leader. I'm there [now], somebody else will come later," he added.
"What is more important is to see the areas we are lacking in, the departments which have to improve when it comes to shorter formats."
Watch the fourth ODI between Australia and India. Coverage begins on Sky Sports 2 at 3:15am on Wednesday.
