At a time when Team India is being battered in London, knives are already out for captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni for the dismal show so far
At a time when Team India is being battered in London, knives are already out for captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni for the dismal show so far. 
In the dock: MS Dhoni. PIC/AFP
Former stalwarts have found flaws in Dhoni's wicket-keeping too. Interestingly, a call to include Wriddhiman Saha in the XI so that Dhoni can play as a batsman has also been put across the table by the critics.
But back home, Dhoni had some respite as he garnered support from his predecessors. 
Former India wicketkeepers Kiran More & Chandrakant Pandit
Former India wicket-keepers Kiran More and Chandrakant Pandit were not in favour of criticising the India captain so early, though both admitting to the fact that Dhoni's keeping skills have dipped down drastically, particularly in this series. More has also served as the chief selector of the BCCI.
"I agree that Dhoni is struggling at the moment but you have to also keep in mind that he is under tremendous pressure. His batsmen and bowlers are not doing well and neither his team, so it's an induced effect on Dhoni which has resulted in lapse in concentration for the skipper," More told MiD DAY yesterday.
More's compatriot Pandit almost corroborated More's take. "Till yesterday he was the toast of the nation, but suddenly after one bad series he is being projected as the culprit. I don't want to be harsh on him. Also, technically he is not a natural wicketkeeper but has delivered the job in so many Test matches," Pandit said.
Besides shielding Dhoni's sloppy job behind the stumps, both former glovesmen were of the opinion that wicket-keeping in English conditions is a difficult proposition.
"The ball wobbles too much there and also the vicious swing that makes it more difficult for the wicket-keepers," both felt. But both had specific advices for the man in trouble. While More feels Dhoni should constantly move behind the stumps to be close to the ball, Pandit left it to Dhoni to decide on how to do better. "You don't need to tell a man who has played 60 Tests on how to improve. Times like this come and go. The task is to hang on there," Pandit rounded off.
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