Chappell backs Laxman as Test captain, Dhoni in ODI

Rahul Dravid's out-of-the-blue decision to relinquish the captaincy of the Indian cricket team found a supporter in former Australian captain Ian Chappell, who believes India should ask VVS Laxman to lead the Test squad, while the ODI reins should be in MS Dhoni's hands.

Rahul Dravid’s out-of-the-blue decision to relinquish the captaincy of the Indian cricket team found a supporter in former Australian captain Ian Chappell, who believes India should ask VVS Laxman to lead the Test squad, while the ODI reins should be in MS Dhoni’s hands.

Chappell, an astute captain of his era, who himself quit after leading Australia between 1971-75, said he could understand Dravid’s mental state and suggested India should go for split captaincy, like Australia did at a point with Steve Waugh leading the Test side and Ricky Ponting at the helms in ODI.

“Because there is no obvious successor, the selectors may think about splitting the captaincy as a short-term solution. On that basis VVS Laxman would make a good Test captain; it may just be the confidence boost his batting needs, and it would give the selectors time to find a long-term, full-time captain. Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been earmarked for future leadership and the one-day captaincy would be a good way to test his mettle,” Chappell wrote in his column for Cricinfo.

The cricketer-turned-commentator dwelled at length on Dravid’s decision and said though Dravid was certainly not India’s best captain, he at least left the job head held high and dignity intact.