Selectors need to look at Dhoni''s place in team: Agarkar

New Delhi, October 9

Former India fast bowler Ajit Agarkar has questioned Mahendra Singh Dhoni's place in the Indian team and urged the selectors to scrutinise his performance as a player as well as captain in the limited overs format.

Agarkar believed the selection committee should look at Virat Kohli's performance as India's Test captain and take a call on Dhoni's future in the limited-overs cricket after the ongoing South Africa series.

"The selectors need to have a closer look at what MS Dhoni is doing, not just as captain, but as a player as well," Agarkar was quoted as saying by 'ESPNcricinfo' ahead of the five-match ODI series against South Africa.

The hosts go into the upcoming series after losing the three-match T20 rubber to South Africa under Dhoni's captaincy.

Agarkar pointed out Dhoni's slump in form with the willow.

"He has been a great player for India, but you don't want him to become a liability for the team. And he needs to perform a lot better than he has (been). Just because he has done it over the years, doesn't mean it's okay for him to fail."

The former pacer was also not in favour of Dhoni's decision to bat at No 4 in the one-day format at the expense of somebody like Ajinkya Rahane.

"I'm not convinced he should bat at four. Just after a World Cup, you're now trying to develop your team for the next World Cup. Four years is a long time, but for Dhoni, towards the end of his career, to put himself up, I'm not sure about it.

"You can understand if there are batsmen who can't bat 3 and 4. But there is Ajinkya Rahane, who has been one of your best players in Test cricket and I don't think he can bat lower than four in ODIs yet, unless he changes his game over his career."  —  PTI