The debate over whether a wicket-keeper is the ideal man to lead an international team has gathered steam with the elevation of Mahendra Singh Dhoni as the Indian one-day skipper.

While many pundits believe that a stumper is best equipped to handle the fortunes of a team because he is involved in the game all the time, others are of the opinion that the extra workload will reduce the gloveman's efficiency as a player.

One person who was both wicket-keeper and captain is Ali Bacher, the man who was primarily responsible for the end of South Africa's cricketing isolation in the early 1990s. Bacher, who led the Proteas to a stunning 4-0 win over Bill Lawry's Aussies in 1969-70 in South Africa's last Test series before they went into the wilderness, is of the view that having a wicket-keeper isn't the most ideal scenario.

Himself a 'keeper, Bacher gave up the big gloves when he became the Test captain. “I did keep wickets in the early part of my career, but gave it up when I became captain. It was just too much. As a wicket-keeper, you have to concentrate on every ball.”

Bacher's take on Dhoni? “It's too early to say anything, I haven't seen enough of him. From what I have seen of him, I can only say that he is a very attacking batsman,” said one of the game's most celebrated administrators. “It's okay for him to lead in Twenty20, but for a wicket-keeper to captain in Test matches is too difficult.”
Bacher said the fact that Dhoni was still only in his mid-20s was a huge advantage for him. “If a player is natural leader of people and is good enough to hold his place in the side, then age should not be factor against him becoming a captain,” said Bacher, who took over the captaincy of Transvaal aged 21 and became South Africa captain at 27. “I will call (Graeme) Smith a successful captain, though he was only 22 when he took charge. There is nothing like youth on your side. You've got the enthusiasm while sometimes, as you become more mature, you get more theoretical,” remarked Bacher.

Having commanded respect through his abilities as a batsman and as a leader, Bacher is clear that a good captain has to perforce lead from the front, and not just on the field. “A captain should set the example in discipline and training as well. A good captain will be able to motivate his players. He is the one who inspires, he must also be in a position to understand what each player is capable of, and he has to be strategically very sharp.”