XtraTime Web Desk: Indian cricket team’s former captain & coach Anil Kumble “isn’t sure” whether Mahendra Singh Dhoni still fits in the current set up of the Indian cricket team and wants the selectors to have a proper “conversation” with India’s former World Cup winning captain before preparing for a send-off befitting his contribution.
Dhoni’s future in international cricket has been a subject of debate and there are enough indications that the selectors are looking ahead.
“I’m not really sure. I think Pant has certainly made a lot of claims as a keeper-batsman, especially in the T20 format. So, it’s important to have a conversation and you need to have a proper send-off, he certainly deserves that,” Kumble told CricketNext when asked if he would like to see Dhoni continue in top flight cricket.
“But having said that, Pant has also shown some inconsistency. That’s a call the selectors need to make. Today, in spite of all of that, are you going to back him (Pant) or someone else, or would you look back. I wouldn’t but I think it’s important that the selectors take a call on that.”
Kumble wants the selectors to decide in the next couple of months the way forward.
“…For the team’s sake, the selectors need to sit down and have as discussion around what the plans are because it’s important that things be communicated. If the selectors believe that Dhoni is in the scheme of things for the T20 World Cup, then I think he should be playing every game.
“If he’s not, then it’s important that they have a discussion around how they need to make this happen. I think they need to do that in the next couple of months,” said India’s highest wicket-taker across formats.
Kumble also said that he is not very sure whether Rohit Sharma is the perfect choice for the Test opener’ slot.