MS Dhoni right to rotate players during tri-series in Australia

Sunil Gavaskar and Wasim Akram, both legends of the game, are wrong to criticise India captain for resting players such as Sachin Tendulkar.

Gautam Gambhir scored a match-winning 92 against Australia in Adelaide on Sunday.

When it comes to limited-overs cricket, MS Dhoni seems to know what he is doing.

His knock of 44, despite looking ill at ease during last night's game against Australia, proved to be a match-winning one. But it is not just his batting that he must be commended for, but his captaincy so far in this tri-series, as well.

His decision to rotate the line-up for every game in this series is especially proving to be a winner.

India's batting legend Sunil Gavaskar and Wasim Akram, the great Pakistan fast bowler, were puzzling in their criticism of Dhoni's policy that has seen Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir all given a rest in the series.

"I think Sachin should be playing in all matches," Gavaskar told a television news channel.

"When a team is not doing well, the focus has to be on playing the best XI at all times to regain confidence. In a series like this, the hosts can afford to experiment, but not a visiting side," Akram wrote in his Times of India column.

They are both wrong and myopic in their view. Gambhir, who was rested before he replaced Tendulkar in last night's game, was man of the match for scoring 92.

He also received support from Rohit Sharma (33) and Suresh Raina (38). Granted Virat Kohli only scored 18, but they are all India's future and have been rightly given the chance to play under pressure and win games for India. Even if they lose the next few games, what is wrong in Dhoni looking toward the future?

Just how long do Gavaskar and Akram think Indian cricket should depend on the 38-year-old Tendulkar?

Follow us