MS Dhoni is the best in the world: Gary Kirsten

MS Dhoni is the best in the world: Gary Kirsten: Former India coach Gary Kirsten has come out strongly in support of Indian limited overs skipper MS Dhoni. The South African great is surprised that critics are targeting India’s most successful captain Dhoni, and wanting him to go.

“Absolutely not. Why? I don’t understand why people say that. We look at it from the outside. Everyone is surprised when people say that. Why must he go?” he said.

“The South African players will be happy if he wasn’t there in the Indian team,” Kirsten said ridiculing the calls to change the captain. “Who is going to replace him? Who replaces him in his batting position? Virat (Kohli) bats at 3. What is his (Dhoni’s) one day average (52+)? Best in the world? I can’t understand the thinking” he added.

Currently in Mumbai to launch his wife Jeborah’s book Chai tea & Ginger beer: My Unexpected Journey … Cricket, Family and Beyond, the former South African left hander had a successful association with Dhoni and the duo carried India to World Cup glory in 2011.

“I have always said that he is one of the greatest players to have ever played. I have worked with him as a coach. He is a great player. He will be regarded as one of India’s great players if not the greatest captain. His performances tell the story. You just have to look at his performances,” opined Gary.

He also rubbished the talk of Dhoni losing his big-hitting skills. “I saw some big shots this evening (Wednesday). I saw some huge shots. Do the media do that to the players? Why would they run a player down like it? He is one of the greatest players India have ever had. Would they do that to Sachin? I think it’s very unfair,” he added sounding unhappy.

Gary was also the one of the names approached by the BCCI post the Duncan Flethcer era. He revealed on Wednesday that he had a few calls from India inquiring his interest in the job. “There have been one or two phone calls but I was not in a position to make those decision,” Kirsten, who helmed Team India from 2008 to 2011 said.

Kirsten said he is not surprised by the performance of South Africa who have won the T20I series and have done well so far in the ODIs. “SA always play well in India. So, it is not surprise for me that they are playing well. Most of the players are playing in the IPL. So they understand the conditions. They have got experience in the batting,” he explained predicting that the Proteas could end up winning the Test series.

India, he says, should play to their strengths. “India need to play to their strengths like South Africa always play to their strengths at home. People tend to forget that South Africa haven’t lost a Test series away from home in seven years. They know how to play away from home. They do really good preparation. They would have done their homework. They are not an easy team to beat”.