‘Need to phase out seniors’
Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Sunday stressed the need to phase out the seniors after the on-going Test series against Australia.
“Not really right now. Maybe at the end of the series will be a right time. We also have to see what the seniors’ thoughts are. I think there is a bit more emphasis right now about getting rid of the seniors, but it will be a very careful decision because of what they have done for the country, and the amount of experience they can share with the youngsters,” Dhoni said.
However, the Jharkhandi said he was not aware of any ultimatum the BCCI might have given to senior batsman VVS Laxman regarding his retirement. There was talk of Laxman being axed for the fourth Test at Adelaide, hastening his retirement after two lean away series in England and Australia.
“There is nothing I know officially. I won't like to answer something where there is a big if and a big but. I don't know where this came from, but unless Laxman comes and tells me, I don't know whether it's happening or not happening. I really don't have to think about it now,” he said.
Dhoni said phasing out seniors like Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar should be a careful process, than rushing them out of the scheme of things. “I have not sat and thought over it. It's something everybody needs to be a part of, the players and the BCCI. It will be a process rather than just an event. We will carefully decide what needs to be done in the best interest of the country."
Asked whether the Indian set-up lacked the courage to drop seniors when they were out of touch,
Dhoni said, "It's not about courage. It's about taking the right decision. For example, if you see in this series, people went after Virat, and he batted really well in this Test. You have to give that span of time to people. Especially when you know somebody is a really talented guy, you have to give that extra time to that particular batsman."
The Adelaide Test will be India’s last away Test till they tour South Africa at the end of 2013, and Dhoni said the time could be used to give some exposure to some young players.
“Ultimately, we know that most of our batsmen will perform in India because we have played in
India. But we need to find ways of performing outside India. Definitely, it will be a good option to see the youngsters coming in. Of course, we are playing quite a few games in India, but we are playing some tough opposition like Australia and England. But yes, I think it will be a good exposure for them."
Dhoni also said it was important to get the right mix of youth and experience. "It’s very important to have the right mixture. You can't have all the seniors missing out all of a sudden, and all the juniors coming in. We will have to carefully decide the best option. A lot of people will be tested in Test cricket, but once they transfer that experience, the job of the youngsters will become slightly easy.”
