Sachin Declines

Indian master blaster cricketer Sachin Tendulkar turned down the offer to become the captain of India's Test cricket team just two days before his appointment was to be formally announced. The veteran batsman, who had initially agreed to take over the mantle after Rahul Dravid stepped down, has informed the Indian Cricket Board President Sharad Pawar and national selectors about his decision. The veteran batsman, who had initially agreed to take over the mantle after Rahul Dravid stepped down, has informed the Board President Sharad Pawar and national selectors about his decision. Confirming the report, the board said that Sachin had told Pawar to look towards younger players. In a letter written to Sharad Pawar and national selection team, Sachin didn’t disclose the reason but says that he does not want to be the Test captain at this stage. The selectors will meet on Thursday to announce team for the remaining three one-dayers against Pakistan and also the new Test captain. With Tendulkar now out of the equation the 26-year-old Dhoni, who has been impressive in the Twenty20 and ODIs, appears to also take up the responsibilities in the longer of version of the game. however, on the other hand former India coach Greg Chappell feels Mahendra Singh Dhoni, front-runner to become the Test captain after Sachin Tendulkar turned down the offer, needs at least another year to be ready to take up the responsibility.
Chappell said Dhoni was still learning by leading the team in the ODIs and Twenty20 and would be ready for Test captaincy in next 12 months.While former skipper Ravi shastri says, Mahendra Singh Dhoni may have impressed with his leadership skills in the one-dayers but burdening him with the Test captaincy would be asking for too much from the youngster. Dhoni had proved his mettle as skipper but it was not the right time to anoint him Test captain. It will put him under a lot of pressure. In future he may do it but not at this moment.