Stephen Fleming: India need MS Dhoni as skipper

MS Dhoni and Stephen Fleming

Former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming has said that India need MS Dhoni as their Test skipper despite the recent humiliation in England. The Ranchi-born cricketer’s future as captain has been said to be uncertain after India lost 3-1 in the Test series against an inexperienced English team.

More than the defeat, it was the manner of the defeat that hurt the fans. India took a 1-0 lead in the series after two Tests, but surrendered meekly in the remaining three matches to lose 3-1. Dhoni himself suggested that he might quit as India’s captain after this series. Changes have already been made to team India’s support staff, and many are calling for change of captain too but the 33-year-old has now got backing from Fleming, who is also his coach at Chennai Super Kings.

“It is fine just to say that the captain has to go, but if you are giving the problem to someone else without a strong solution then you are just papering over the problem. But how far you go with that will be a board decision. That comes down to what the succession plan is. Who is next in line, who is putting pressure on Dhoni? He (Dhoni) may still be the man for the job, but there might need to be some changes within and without. Those questions need to be asked rather than the emotional black and white (response) he has got to go,” Fleming said.

The New Zealander further ?admitted that Dhoni is under pressure but said that he needs more time.

“He is got to be under pressure as the leader of the side. The dramatic turn of form (of team which led 1-0 and then lost the last three games without a fight) does warrant those questions. His form with the bat was good, but certainly the captain always gets looked at when the series goes wrong. I cannot speculate in terms of his place. What I can answer with my experience is that when your team is not playing well, you are under pressure as a captain.

“How far that pressure goes and how long it goes is an issue for your Board or decision-makers. Maybe a Dhoni under pressure is still your best option. He has got the experience and I know he has got the respect of the dressing room - they are two pretty important ingredients. What you need is the results to go in your favour and then everything is right,” he added.