Indian cricket

Dhoni ready for Test captaincy - Kirsten

Cricinfo staff

September 2, 2008

	Gary Kirsten: "Their [Dhoni and Kumble's] thinking is different but they both are exceptional cricketers" © AFP

Gary Kirsten, the India coach, has said that Mahendra Singh Dhoni is "ready" to captain India in all forms of the game but added that there was no immediate need for change because Anil Kumble was doing "an exceptional job" leading the Test side.

"He [Dhoni] is ready for it [Test captaincy] but there is no need to rush as of now," Kirsten told NDTV. "Anil has done an exceptional job, he is a great leader. He is prepared to do 30 overs in a day but he is on the other side of the physical side of the game."

"MSD is a great thinker. He has got fantastic skills in terms of understanding the situation. He is the best ODI batsman in the world. I think he has worked his heart out, how to win games batting in the middle period. He plays every situation really well and is a very good keeper as well."

Kumble has led the Test team since Rahul Dravid resigned after India's tour of England in 2007 while Dhoni has been in charge of the ODI and Twenty20 sides.

India have just returned from a tour of Sri Lanka where they were beaten 1-2 in the Tests but bounced back to take the ODI series 3-2. Dhoni had opted out of the Test series in order to rest but returned for the one-dayers.

"Their characters [Dhoni's and Kumble's], their strategies are different," Kirsten said. "Their thinking is different but they both are exceptional cricketers and they have proved their worth in different formats of the game. It's always good to have captains that are performing well. It makes a big difference to the morale of the team, to the energy and intensity of the game."

One of the disappointments for India during the ODIs in Sri Lanka was Yuvraj Singh's form. He scored 72 runs in five innings and was tormented by Ajantha Mendis, who has dismissed him four times in six matches. Kirsten hoped that the break from international cricket would help Yuvraj.

"We all want to see Yuvraj hitting the ball hard," Kirsten said. "He is as good as anyone. Sometimes the break does a world of good. I am hoping that this break does him a lot of good and that he can comeback really motivated and determined."

© Cricinfo

	Email

The Cricinfo Quiz - India v England special edition just launched Test your knowledge     Live scores, news & ball-by-ball commentary on your phone Cricinfo Mobile     Fantasy cricket: India v England, Australia v NZ & SA v Bangladesh Enter your teams now

Stories

BCCI reprimands Kirsten for captaincy comments

Players/Umpires

MS Dhoni

Gary Kirsten

Anil Kumble

Series/Tournaments

India tour of Sri Lanka

Teams

India