Gavaskar calls for end to Dhoni-Kohli captaincy debate

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar strongly feels that people should restrain themselves from creating a captaincy controversy as Mahendra Singh Dhoni prepares to take over the mantle from stand-in skipper Virat Kohli in the second Test against Australia, starting in Brisbane on Wednesday.

There’s a growing debate over India's captaincy in the wake of Kohli's bold approach in the lost first Test against Australia in Adelaide. Former Australia captains Ian Chappell and Mark Taylor felt that it was time Kohli takes over from Dhoni.

However, Gavaskar felt otherwise.

"We must not create a controversy about who should be the captain as the selectors have clearly named Mahendra Singh Dhoni as the captain for the series. Virat Kohli was the stand-in captain and there is no debate about Dhoni being the captain in the remaining three Test matches," Gavaskar told NDTV on Monday.

"We should not create issues for Dhoni but we should be happy that Kohli has improved as captain. We are creating a question as it suits everybody," Gavaskar said.

While lauding Kohli for his aggressive approach, the legendary opener feels that leadership is something where caution should be blended with aggression.

"I am absolutely in favour of being an aggressive captain. But it should also be tempered with a little bit of prudence. I can tell you the most defensive captains also wants to win a Test match. Only when they can't win do they look for a draw, because if you draw a Test, then you have a chance of a comeback," said Gavaskar.

"I personally feel once Rohit Sharma got out, there should have been a good mix of caution with aggression."

Gavaskar was not ready to answer a "hypothetical question" on whether Dhoni's presence as captain would have made it different, but agreed that the Indian team missed "Dhoni the batsman".

Asked how well Kohli will shape up as a captain, Gavaskar said,"In the history of international cricket there hasn't been a perfect captain, batsman, bowler or a fielder. If you are expecting Kohli to be a perfect captain, then you are expecting too much. Look how Kohli has improved as a batsman and I am sure he will only grow as one of the best Indian captains."

Image: Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Virat Kohli during a nets session

Photograph: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images