Discussed removing MS Dhoni from captaincy: Sandeep Patil

New Delhi, Sep 22: Former chairperson of BCCI's selection committee, Sandeep Patil, has revealed that discussions on removing Mahendra Singh Dhoni from captaincy did take place but his retirement from Tests was a "shocker" for them.

Dhoni retires from Test cricket; Sachin quits ODIs

"Of course, we had a brief discussion about it (removing Dhoni from captaincy) on a few occasions. We wanted to experiment by handing the baton (to somebody) but we thought the time was not right with World Cup (2015) round the corner," Patil told 'ABP News' on Wednesday (Sep 21).

'Virat got captaincy at the right time'

"We felt that new captain should be given some time to set things right. Keeping that in mind in the World Cup, we had gone with Dhoni. I believe Virat got the captaincy at the right time. Virat can lead the team in shorter formats as well but that decision rests with the new selection committee," said Patil, who completed his term only nine days back.

'Sachin was asked to retire'

Patil, whose tenure as chief selector having ended, decided to reveal what happened in December 2012. According to the former India batsman, the selection panel had decided to drop Tendulkar from the ODI squad and he was told about it.

"On December 12, 2012, we met Sachin (Tendulkar) and asked him about his future plans. He said he did not have retirement on his mind. But the selection committee had reached a consensus on Sachin... and had informed the board too about it.

(If Sachin had not retired from ODIs, would have dropped him: Patil)

"Perhaps Sachin understood what was coming because at the time of the next meeting, Sachin called and said he was retiring (from ODIs). If he had not announced his decision to quit then, we would have definitely dropped him," Sandeep told "ABP Majha" marathi TV channel, on Wednesday (September 21).

'Shocked by Dhoni's retirement'

Patil termed Dhoni's decision to retire from Tests as "shocking" as the team was having a tough Test series Down Under.

"It was a very tough series. I won't say Dhoni was captain of a sinking ship but things quite didn't move in our favour. And in this backdrop, one of your senior players decides to retire. That was shocking but at the end of the day, it was his (Dhoni's) personal decision," he said.

'Dhoni not responsible for Gambhir, Yuvraj's ouster from Team'

Patil also clarified that there was no truth to the perception that Dhoni was instrumental in getting rid of some of the seniors in the Indian team like Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh.

"I feel disappointed when I read reports about Dhoni's relation with Gambhir and Yuvraj. Dhoni never opposed their selection," said Patil.

"It was completely the selectors' decision to drop them and Dhoni did not have any say in dropping Gambhir and Yuvraj. Both the captains never opposed any player."

OneIndia News

(With inputs from PTI)