Akram backs underfire Dhoni, says he's right choice as captain

The recent criticism about his leadership skills, notwithstanding, Mahendra Singh Dhoni is still the "right choice" for Indian captaincy but he needs to be "more flexible in his tactics", feels former Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram.

Dhoni's leadership skills came under the scanner in the on-going four-Test series against England, which India are trailing 1-2.

But Akram begs to differ, saying: "I am positive that Dhoni is the right choice to remain as captain, but he has to be more flexible in his tactics.

"You cannot throw the ball to a novice like Ravichandran Ashwin, like Dhoni did in Kolkata, and expect him to produce miracles. India and Dhoni, in particular, are lacking a Plan B when situations get tough, where they have seemed content in containing rather than attacking.

"If the team management feels that a policy of split-captaincy would release the pressure on Dhoni, then may be there is a need for change. But personally I would still have Dhoni over next-in-line Virat Kohli, who is too young to lead Team India," the legendary pacer added.

Akram, however, said veteran Sahin Tendulkar's poor form is a matter of grave concern for the Indian team, which is presently going through a transition after the retirements of Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman.

"Rather than drastically overhauling the side, the Indian selectors have done the right thing in making a few changes to the squad. The most pressing concern is the form and future of Sachin Tendulkar," he said.