Would Critics Slam Sachin Tendulkar The Way they have bashed Mahendra Singh Dhoni? Asks Gary Kirsten

Former India coach Gary Kirsten reckons Mahendra Singh Dhoni will always be regarded as India's great players if not the greatest captain.

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Former India coach Gary Kirsten slammed Mahendra Singh Dhoni's critics for jumping into conclusions despite his lofty credentials. The World Cup winning-coach was rather bemused to see how people can lose confidence in someone who has virtually won every major trophy in the game. (Mahendra Singh Dhoni Takes a Dig at Critics, Says People Want 'You to Make Mistakes And Have Fun')

"I don't understand why people say that (questioning Dhoni's place in the team). We look at it from the outside. Everyone is surprised when people say that. Why must he go?" Kirsten was quoted by the DNA newspaper. (Mahendra Singh Dhoni Plays For India, Not Critics: Sunil Gavaskar)

Kirsten, who is in India to launch his wife Deborah's book Chai tea & Ginger beer: My Unexpected Journey ... Cricket, Family and Beyond, said it is unfair to run down a player of Dhoni's stature and the charismatic batsman hasn't lost his Midas Touch.

"Who is going to replace him? Virat (Kohli) bats at No. 3. What is his (Dhoni's) one-day average. Best in the world? (Laughs). I can't understand the thinking," adds Kirsten.

"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," Kristen said.

Dhoni slammed a match-winning 92 not out in the second ODI versus South Africa in Indore on Wednesday. Axar Patel was the pick of the Indian bowlers and backed by some good fielding, the hosts levelled the match-match series 1-1.

"I saw some big shots (during the Indore ODI). I saw some huge shots," Kirsten said, very well aware how Dhoni sealed India's 2011 World Cup final win against Sri Lanka with a six.
Asking Dhoni to justify his position in the ODI squad was not justified, Kirsten said.

"Do the media do that to the players? Why would they run a player down like that? He is one of the greatest players India have ever had. Would they do that to Sachin? I think it's very unfair," Kirsten questioned. (The Great Mahendra Singh Dhoni Debate -- He's Extra-Ordinary, Says Gavaskar; He's Not Superhuman: Prasanna)

Kirsten, who has worked recently with the South African team as a consultant, said the knowledge of local conditions made South Africa a tough team to beat. Players like AB de Villiers, David Miller, Quinton de Kock all play in IPL.

"Most of the players are playing in the IPL. So they understand the conditions. They have got experience in the top six. They have played a lot of games together, said Kirsten.

A second stint with Team India?

Kirsten, who coached India from 2008 to 2011, revealed that the BCCI had approached him for a second stint after Duncan Fletcher's contract expired at the end of the 2015 World Cup.

"There have been one or two phone calls. I'm not in a position to make those decisions. I am enjoying my life out of cricket," said the veteran of 101 Tests. "You can never rule anything out in life. See what the situation is. I never say yes or never say no, it's difficult," the genial South Africa added.