Lohardaga, Jharkhand: Former India skipper Mohammad Azharuddin has backed India's Mahendra Singh Dhoni, saying he is suitable for Test captaincy and there is no need for a change in leadership right now.
"Dhoni is a good player and worthy of captaincy. The time has not come for a change in the captaincy of Team India," Azharuddin told reporters here on Tuesday. Continue reading below
Dhoni might be under some sort of pressure, but India will bounce back in the coming days, Azharuddin said in the wake of their eight consecutive Test defeat on foreign soil.
India suffered a humiliating 4-0 series defeat by Australia, following a series whitewash by the same scoreline in England last year, which means India have now lost their past eight overseas Tests, most by big margins.
"Cricket is a game of uncertainty. Wins and losses are part of the game, which brings a team under pressure. But Team India's performance will definitely be better in the coming days," Azharuddin said.
Dismissing the suggestion by a section of the cricketing fraternity that some senior players should retire, Azharuddin said no player should contemplate quitting the game. The future of the veteran batting line-up has come under scrutiny, with former India cricket greats calling for an overhaul of the Test team.
Azharuddin also believes Sachin Tendulkar will notch his much-awaited century of centuries at the earliest.
"Sachin's 99th was a beautiful century. His hundredth will come soon," said the former India skipper, who played 99 Test matches before retiring from the game.
