The batting maestro says he has not thought of taking over the reins of the Indian cricket team in the immediate future.
MUMBAI: Reports that Sachin Tendulkar has agreed to take over as captain of India if offered the job after the World Cup was played down by the batting maestro himself on Sunday. Talking to DNA, Tendulkar said that the World Cup in the Caribbean is his priority and that he is not thinking beyond that at the moment.
“The one-day series against the West Indies and Sri Lanka is what I am focusing on and after that the World Cup. At the moment the World Cup is the top-most priority,” he said. When asked specifically if any official of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) or a selector has discussed with him about the captaincy, Tendulkar replied in the negative.
“No one has consulted me nor have I discussed with anyone about taking over as Indian captain after the World Cup. It is too early to say anything right now,” Tendulkar said.
“Of course, the selectors have named me as vice-captain (for the first two ODIs against West Indies). I was consulted about it and I have agreed,” he said.
Rahul Dravid has already been named skipper for the mega event in the Caribbean in March-April.
Over the past month, especially with the Indian team not doing well in the shorter version of the game, Rahul Dravid’s captaincy has come under the scanner. India lost the away series against South Africa 4-0 and the Test series 2-1. Prior to that, India failed to qualify for the semifinals of the Champions Trophy at home.
At the end of the South African tour, North Zone selector Bhupinder Singh Senior was quoted as saying that ‘Rahul Dravid’s mind is not in the game’. India have lost 10 of their last 15 games under Dravid. The grapevine has been abuzz over the past month that Tendulkar could be offered captaincy even prior to the World Cup. However, the talk has remained essentially in the realm of speculation.
While announcing Tendulkar as vice-captain at Rajkot on Friday, chairman of selectors Dilip Vengsarkar had said: “I offered the post (vice-captaincy) to Sachin and he agreed after giving the proposal some thought… In fact, he telephoned to convey his acceptance. I made the offer as I felt we must have somebody to guide Rahul Dravid.”
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}