New Delhi: Former India captain Rahul Dravid said that there is no need to replace Mahendra Singh Dhoni as suggested by former Australian skipper Ian Chappell because the team has “progressed” well under the able leadership of the Jharkhand wicketkeeper-batsman.
“Dhoni is the right man to take India forward as we have been making progress and going forward under him. A lot of people keep complaining about the past losses in England and Australia (2011-12). But now he has a young team and is doing a good job. As far as Virat (Kohli) is concerned, his time will come,” Dravid told mediapersons via conference call from London.
Chappell had recently suggested that it's time that the Indian Test captaincy is handed over to Virat Kohli as Dhoni hasn't been upto the mark as a leader in the longer version.
Dravid also praised his former Karnataka teammate Stuart Binny for proving his critics wrong by playing a match-saving innings of 78 at Trent Bridge.
“Stuart, I feel proved to everyone that he belongs to the international arena. People complained that he did not bowl enough. But that was simply because the conditions were not very suited to his style of bowling. I think he will get more chances at the Lord's,” said Dravid, who spoke on the occasion of being appointed member of the Laureus Sports Academy.
Asked about the challenges awaiting India in the second Test starting tomorrow, Dravid said,”Lord's will provide a different set of challenges to what one saw at Trent Bridge in the first Test. The conditions will be a little different and the pitch could be of greater help to the pace bowlers. I am looking forward to an exciting game.”
Dravid also feels that Ravichandran Ashwin should be patient and wait for his chance as he will certainly get a look-in, depending on the conditions.
“Given Jadeja's recent performances, it was difficult to leave him out of the side for the Trent Bridge Test. I am sure Ashwin will get his chance depending on the conditions.”
