xtratime Logo

[caption id="attachment_34025" align="aligncenter" width="580"] Split Captaincy Does Not Work in India, Says Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Image Source: twitter[/caption] Internet Desk: Mahendra Singh Dhoni addressed the media for the first time after stepping down as India’s limited overs captain. India will face England in the first ODI under the Captaincy of Virat Kohli, which will be played on January 15 at Pune. Dhoni told the media that he was always of the opinion that split captaincy does not work for the Indian team setting and that is the reason why he finally decided to give up the captaincy. "For me the last series was the one against South Africa, That was the reason why I went to Zimbabwe. Split captaincy does not work in our scenario and my views did not change after I quit from Test cricket. Limited overs captaincy is not a big challenge and Virat is ready for it now," Dhoni told the media. "Virat and this team will win more games than me. I feel it will be the most successful team ever. That's the kind of experience and potential they have. They have played in knockout tournaments, they have played under pressure. I firmly believe that this will be the team that will rewrite history. They will do very well," he added. Recalling the chain of events leading up to his decision, Dhoni said he had informed the BCCI well in advance. He said it had been playing on his mind ever since he quit Test captaincy during the tour of Australia in 2014. "I believe that one player leading the team is crucial. It was on my mind when Virat took over the Test captaincy. I wanted him to take over and ease into the job. I wanted to be around for some game and now I finally decided that it was time to move on and give Virat captaincy (of limited-overs teams as well)," he said. Asked how quitting captaincy would impact his role in the side, Dhoni said he would continue to give his suggestions and opinions to Kohli. "Wicketkeeper is always the vice-captain of the side. I will have to keep a close eye on what the skipper wants. I already had a chat with Virat on where he wants his fields. I will have to be aware," he said. "I will be there to give as many suggestions to him as and when he wants. I will have to keep a close eye to read the field positioning," he added. The 35-year-old, under whom India won both the ODI and the Twenty20 World Cup, said he had thoroughly enjoyed his stint as the leader despite the many ups and downs he witnessed. "I don't regret anything in life. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Plenty of good things happened, difficult to pick one. It's been a journey for me, the ups and downs. When I started, lot of senior player were in the side. I tried to groom the youngsters. Once the seniors left us, from that point till now, the juniors have done well. They have taken the legacy of Indian cricket forward," he said. "It was a journey I really enjoyed and it brings a smile on my face when I think of it. Whether it's tough or easy, I have enjoyed the overall journey," he added. Quizzed on the dynamics of his equation with Kohli, Dhoni said it has always been a relationship of mutual respect. "We have been very close. Virat was always somebody who wanted to improve in whatever chances he got, always wanted to give more. That was the key factor. We have interacted a lot. He has improvised his cricket and his thinking. He will keep getting better. My job will be to assist him wherever needed, giving him my thoughts from behind the stumps. That's the real asset of the wicketkeeper," he said. "From my side, it will be a flow of information. Information that doesn't confuse and then he can pick and choose. The good thing is that if I go up with 100 ideas to him, he can say no to all of them. That is important because he has to take the responsibility. So the more I can serve to him, the more he can pick and choose, and the better it will be for Indian cricket," he explained. On whether he would consider a change in his batting position, which has mostly been lower down the order so far, Dhoni said, "Since I was the captain, I wanted to take added responsibility of playing lower down the order. I would have preferred batting at four but then if somebody is more comfortable at four, that gives our team more power. At the end of the day team is more important than individual. "Whatever the demands of the team, I am ready to bat there."