Kapil Dev Leaps To Under-Fire MS Dhoni Defense By Citing Sachin Tendulkar's Example

Expressing his surprise over the widespread criticism Mahendra Singh Dhoni is facing ‘after a couple of average performances, former India skipper Kapil Dev has cited Sachin Tendulkar‘s example to leap in Dhoni’s defense.

Dhoni is facing the heat after his performance in the second T20I against New Zealand which India lost by 40 runs. The World Cup-winning skipper had joined Virat Kohli at the crease when India were 4 down for just 67 in the 10th over and needed close to 12 runs per over to chase down a huge 197. With Kohli looking in his elements, India still had a chance but Dhoni failed to complement his predecessor and as a result India’s chase was derailed.

The 36-year old, like his usual playing style nowadays, took his time initially and managed to score just 17 off the first 20 balls. He eventually managed to score 49 off 37 but by that time the match was already a lost cause.

Since that knock, Dhoni has been facing a lot of flak with the likes of VVS Laxman and Ajit Agarkar opining that the former India skipper should hang his boots in the shortest format of the game. But at the same time, the likes of Sunil Gavaskar and Virender Sehwag have backed him and Kapil Dev has also joined the bandwagon now.

Citing the example of Sachin Tendulkar, the World Cup-winning skipper told the The Times of India: “I do not understand why so many people are on his back after a couple of average performances. Age definitely doesn’t have anything to do with it. Sachin was 38 when we won the World Cup and nobody was saying anything then.”

“Even if he is axed from the team, whom will they get,” added the legendary cricketer.

Kapil Dev also spoke on the much-talked about topic of the Indian team’s decision to prefer Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav in limited-overs cricket ahead of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. The former India allrounder made it clear that performances dictate selection and so Chahal and Yadav have been getting the chances.

“In the Indian team, there is no such thing as seniority. Performances dictate selection and that is why Kuldeep and Chahal have kept their place in the limited overs side,” he explained.

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