Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni announced that he would “love to step away” from captaincy and contribute as a player if that helped the Indian cricket team soon after his team crashed to a first ever bilateral ODI defeat against Bangladesh on Sunday.
Bangladesh has taken unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series after the Tigers romped to their six wicket win over India in the 2nd ODI on Sunday, skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni said he would “love to step away” from captaincy and contribute as a player if that helped the Indian cricket team.
“I am always the one who is responsible for anything bad that happens in Indian cricket. Everything that happens is because of me. Even the Bangladesh media is smiling,” Dhoni replied to a question at the post-match press conference held on Monday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium at Mirpur here.
When the question was asked differently about how long he would continue as captain, he made it clear that he would like to continue, cricket website sources said.
“I am really enjoying my cricket. But when the earlier question was asked, I knew this question one was coming. These questions always keep popping. The media loves me. If it is justifiable if you remove me and the Indian cricket will start doing well, and if I am the reason for all the bad that’s happening to Indian cricket, definitely I would love to step away and play as a player.”
“It doesn’t really matter, who is the captain because I was never really in line to become the captain. It was a job or responsibility for me. They want to take it away from me, I am fine,” he said.
“Coach should not be appointed in a hurried manner”, Dhoni said it was fine if the coach’s position remains vacant for some time rather than appointing “anybody” to fill in.
“At least indirectly you are saying you are missing Duncan Fletcher,” Dhoni shot back when asked about the team’s losses in relation to the coach’s job lying vacant.
“I felt he was one guy who was never really appreciated by the media. He did all the hard work. He was with the team for a long time. He went on really tough tours but I don’t think we should blame the support staff. Ultimately it is the individuals that go out and adapt and do what is required. I don’t think it is the support staff.”
