Kiran More backs MS Dhoni's decision to step down as India's limited overs skipper

Former India wicketkeeper and chief selector Kiran More has backed MS Dhoni’s decision to step down from India’s limited overs captaincy as he is also of the same views with MS Dhoni that it is very important to have a single captain across all three formats. “Terrific decision by (MS Dhoni). And that’s what Dhoni is, he gives surprises and he knows what is good for Indian cricket. He is a man who takes his call and takes a right call. This is a fantastic decision,” More was quoted as saying by the Mumbai Mirror in an exclusive interaction.

“He looks at a situation where the team should be looking forward and he reads the situation so well and thinks about the way forward and that is what he has done as a captain. Under his leadership, so many players were created,” he added. MS Dhoni stepped down from India’s limited overs captaincy moments before the squad for the ODI and T20I series was announced.

“Virat (Kohli) is doing very well. He is already captain of Test team and Champions trophy is coming, also there is the next World cup, so it is important to have a leader who’s leading in all formats, it makes lot of difference,” More added on the sidelines of the DY Patil tournament.

More who was one of the finest Indian keepers heaped praises on pocket dynamite Rishabh Pant who has been in scintillating form in the domestic circuit and with his attacking strokeplay he looks like a future prospect for India especially in the limited overs format. “He is a fantastic cricketer, he is going to be a star cricketer in coming years. He is a great talent and he has got an opportunity to play for India now. He should grab it with both hands and it’s a learning process for Rishab Pant. And looking at the future of Indian cricket, it’s a great move by selectors,” he said.

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England will meet India for a 3 match ODI series starting at Pune on Sunday and More feels that the hosts are the outright favourites to win both the series hands down. “India is going to be outright favourite. England have also got a decent side in ODI and T20 and they have some good players, who are young. They have a good bowling attack. When you play in India there is advantage for Indian team, India should win the series but it will be good if the contest is tough, this will help Indian team for Champions Trophy,” More added.

More emphasised on the fact that there was a never a problem with India’s batsmen and their weak link has always been the bowlers. But with the bowlers performing exceedingly well More feels that India can now be the team to beat in the near future. “We never had issue with batting, we had issue regarding bowling. So when our bowling department is stronger, we always win matches internationally, he said.

“We have quality bowling line up now with (Mohammed) Shami, Umesh (Yadav) and Bhuvi (Bhuvaneshwar Kumar), they are the three and Ishant (Sharma) is also an outstanding fast bowler, plus we have two brilliant bowlers, I can say allrounders, (Ravindra) Jadeja and (Ravichandran) Ashwin. We have great combination, batting. I will never worry about it.

“Important is the replacements, if something happens to these fast bowlers, we need to find their replacement, who can take 5-10 wickets in a match, these are the areas we need to find out more bowlers domestically who can do well in international affairs,” the 54-year-old

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