N Srinivisan vetoed MS Dhoni's sacking as captain in 2012, reveals former selector

Virat Kohli took over from MS Dhoni as Test captain only recently

Former Indian selector Raja Venkat has confirmed the long-held belief that MS Dhoni was about to be sacked as captain following the disastrous 4-0 whitewash at the hands of Australia in 2011-12, but former BCCI president N Srinivasan vetoed the move. Venkat, who served as national selector from 2008 to 2012 in the Kris Srikkanth-led panel, revealed in his column for a Bengali tabloid that the morale of the team was at an all-time low back then, thereby convincing them to believe that a change of captain was necessary.

“It was a four-Test series in Australia in 2011-12 and after India had lost the first three matches, we decided that a change of guard was necessary,” Venkat said.

“Mohinder Amarnath and Narendra Hirwani (then selectors from North Zone and Central Zone respectively) had accompanied the team Down Under and upon their return they reported that there were several factions within the team. Team spirit had hit rock bottom.

“We wanted someone who could restore unity in the team. Virat was our choice, for he was not into any faction and had also brilliantly led North Zone to the 2010-11 Deodhar Trophy title. Before that he had impressed as the captain of India Under-19 team.

“We had unanimously decided to bring in a new captain. We believed Dhoni’s time was up and Virat should take over. We had met to pick the squad for the ODI leg of the tour, but as per the BCCI constitution, we couldn’t announce the team for an overseas series without the president’s consent. Srinivasan just didn’t allow us to make the change and replace Dhoni,” Venkat added.

Amarnath, in particular, is believed to have been extremely clear in his opposition to Dhoni continuing as captain in the selectors’ meeting, hitting out at the 33-year-old’s overly negative captaincy and tendency to follow the ball with his field placings. When asked about his reaction to Venkat’s revelations, Amarnath said: “You’ve to respect what he has written. I haven’t gone through it, but I hope details are there. For my part, I don’t want to add anything. I will say, when I’ve to say (about it).”

With now Kohli having taken over as Test captain following Dhoni’s retirement from five-day cricket last year, Venkat felt that they have finally been vindicated and added that the star batsman will undoubtedly help turn around the fortunes of Indian cricket.

“Three years down the line, our decision has been vindicated. We wanted to make him (Kohli) India captain three years ago, but N Srinivasan played spoilsport . Virat is a terrific batsman, excellent team man and a fighter. He will help India unfold a new chapter.”