MS Dhoni has lost a bit of fitness, is past his best: Former BCCI selector

A member of India’s 1983 World Cup-winning squad, Binny makes his point based of what he’s seen of Dhoni in the past couple of years and is convinced that India’s most successful ODI captain is ‘past his best.’

Former India all-rounder Roger Binny feels it is time for MS Dhoni to make way for the younger generation, believing the former India captain’s fitness is on the wane and that he no longer is the same impact player he once was.

MS Dhoni has not played any form of cricket since last year’s World Cup semifinal. (Getty Images)

Binny, a member of India’s 1983 World Cup-winning squad, makes his point based on what he’s seen of Dhoni in the past couple of years and is convinced that India’s most successful ODI captain is ‘past his best.’

“Seeing him the last couple of seasons, he (MS Dhoni) is past the best cricket of his and what he’s capable of doing - turning around matches from losing positions, with sheer intelligence and power. And the way he motivated his players too,” Binny told SportsKeeda in an interview. “He’s lost a bit of fitness and there are younger players coming through the system. He’s past his best really, and he would be the right judge for that.”

Binny, however, lauded Dhoni for being a champion cricketer and having a wonderful demeanour. Binny, who was appointed one of the five members of the selection panel of the BCCI in 2012, revealed Dhoni always had tremendous respect for senior cricketers and those in charge.

“One thing we admired MS Dhoni for was that he had great respect for past cricketers. He was a very down-to-earth person and had a lot of respect and time for cricketers. He’d come and discuss with you and tell you what he wanted,” Binny stated.

“He was the man on the field and we had to give him what he wanted but he wouldn’t demand it. He’d speak with the Chairman and the selectors and we didn’t have any arguments or fights. It was excellent to work with him.”