The Hindu : Sport : Tendulkar suggested Dhoni’s name, says Pawar

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Mar 22, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Sport

Sport

Tendulkar suggested Dhoni’s name, says Pawar

— File Photo

Sachin Tendulkar.

New Delhi: It was Sachin Tendulkar’s great idea to make Mahendra Singh Dhoni captain of India’s one-day cricket team, BCCI President Sharad Pawar disclosed on Friday.

Pawar recalled how the Indian team plunged into a crisis in England last year with the then captain Rahul Dravid dropping first hints of his reluctance to lead the team.

“By that time, Rahul had told me he could not concentrate on his game and requested me to find someone else. Some of the selectors wanted Sachin to lead and I conveyed it to him.

“But Sachin said, ‘please don’t do this.’ I then asked who should lead the side and he said ‘give it to someone like Dhoni’. He has excellent relations with his teammates’,” the BCCI chief said here.

Hails senior players

Pawar also hailed Tendulkar and fellow senior players Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly and Anil Kumble for making way for the youngsters in the Twenty20 team.

“I was in England when we were playing them. Sachin met me and said ‘I know you don’t interfere with the team selection but you please tell the selectors not to include players of my generation in the Twenty20 squad. Give an opportunity to the youngsters.’ Now who would come and say ‘don’t induct us’, when that means losing a few lakh rupees?

“I think we are fortunate to have players like Rahul, Sourav and Anil. Their commitment is unquestionable,” Pawar said.

Praises Dhoni, Kumble

Pawar also praised Dhoni’s leadership qualities.

“Dhoni has done extremely well. He can motivate and has a good equation with other players. He is also cool (under pressure).”

He was also much impressed by the way Test captain Anil Kumble handled the Sydney racism row.

“I would say Anil Kumble has been remarkable as captain. He is a good motivator and his behaviour was impeccable both on and off the field. In the true sense of the term, he was an ambassador of the country,” Pawar said. — PTI

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport