Sourav Ganguly wants India's cricket selectors to prepare for post-Dhoni era

Former captain of the Indian cricket team, Sourav Ganguly, has urged the selectors to plan for the future as M S Dhoni is currently 34 years old and is in the twilight of his career. Speaking during a sports show, Ganguly said: "Every cricket team in the world plans their future. But my question to the selectors is three or four years down the line, do they see Dhoni as the captain of India?"

"Dhoni has been fantastic in the way he has gone about his job as captain, but does he have the ability in the next four years to see India into the World (Cup) in 2019?"

Dhoni has been skipper of the team since 2007. In the nine years he has been around, he has led India to the ICC World Cup title in 2011, the T20 World Cup title in 2007, ICC Champions Trophy 2013 and was in charge when India was at the top of the world test rankings in 2010.

"I am not saying he needs to quit cricket, I feel he should continue to play in the shorter formats of the game. India still needs him in limited-overs cricket. He has been captain for nine years, which is a long period. Does he have it in him to go for another four years?

"So the selectors need to find an answer whether they see Dhoni leading India in the 2019 cricket World Cup. If the answer is no, then find a new captain. If the answer is yes, which I will find very, very surprising if Dhoni continues."

Dhoni's retirement from test cricket led to Virat Kohli being handed the captaincy with many tipping him to take over from Dhoni in the shorter formats of the game when the keeper-batsman decides to hang up his gloves.