Is it time for a change?

When was the last time India won a test match outside of India? The answer is, against West Indies in 2011. That was the first series under the leadership of Duncan Fletcher and Dhoni. And it will be fair to say that the captaincy of M S Dhoni has gone downhill ever since Fletcher took over. In that particular series there was a glaring example of defensiveness when they settled for a draw when they could have gone for the kill with wickets in hand on the last day and the pitch albeit slow but devoid of any sort of cracks or demons.

Subsequent to that series, the Indians have played 12 tests away from India and have failed to register a single win. These losses have come against England, Australia, South Africa and even New Zealand who are nowhere near in the top rankings. As soon as a batsman settles down little bit, the field starts to spread. It happened in Durban when Kallis was batting on 20 or thereabouts and Jadeja was bowling his usual twenty twenty style which is to bowl at 90 kmph. AS soon as, Kallis hit two lofted shots, there was a Long on in place. Dhoni also seems to be a stubborn guy who is always reluctant to try and play with 5 bowlers. He showed that inflexibility time and again in the shorter format of the game where he elects to bowl first regardless of the pitch conditions. He is also averse to the idea of going with Amit Mishra who is a very good spinner in his own right.

Dhoni has failed not only to inspire his team but also to seize the crucial moments. In the second test at Trent Bridge in that 2011 series, England were reeling at 124/8 but still ended up winning the match. After the 0-4 loss down-under in Tests, Dhoni was quoted as saying that if there is a better replacement for the captaincy, he can come in. So the million dollar question is: has the time come for a change in the captaincy? I guess the answer is a loud and deafening yes. But do the selectors have that courage to take the initiative. Or will he be saved by the Veto power of India Cements chairman. Time will be the judge of that.

For now, let us consider the replacements available. Kohli will be the front runner as he has been the Vice Captain for quite some time and has the experience of leading the side at U/19 level. Pujara is another option but he has had a limited exposure in limited overs format. Although they can have it split between the both by handing over the reins to Pujara in the longer version and Kohli in the shorter varieties of the game; it has never been desirable or advisable. It has worked for a team like South Africa where they have continued with Smith in tests and made AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis the skipper in ODIs & T20s, respectively.

Part of the blame will go to Duncan Fletcher. He had taken charge of the team which was riding high on the World Cup win in April 2011. The wins at home will count for nothing as they were happening even before his term began. His main job presumably would be to make strategies and keep the team motivated right through the cricketing calendar.  It is perhaps too risky to change the coach with the next world cup being less than 12 months away but it will not necessarily be such a bad thing to happen. May be the time has come to find a suitable match for one of the toughest jobs in world cricket. A guy like Andy Flower could be worthy replacement.