After Sourav Ganguly’s reaction on Dhoni’s cricket life, now Mohammed Azharuddin gave his response.

Azhar said that, the option of quitting or staying in the game, should be left to Dhoni himself.

“It is Ganguly's opinion. This should be Dhoni's personal decision and we should respect it. All depends on how he feels and sees future. We should give him a chance considering he has been one of finest captains ever. He has won all major tournaments and got India to No. 1 position in all formats of the game,” he said.

Azharuddin opined that, Dhoni has been going through the tough times. “Don't forget his performances. Some times it gets very hard. People go through ups and downs. He may not been in fine form, but he has been a pillar of strength to players who played under him,” he said.

Opining that, Virat Kohli could be the eligible successor, Azhar further added, “I have always said Virat Kohli is ideal. I don't think there are any doubts that he will be the next captain. He is already captain in Tests, but in T20s and ODIs too, he is going to be the next captain.”

The Hyderabadi cricketer even responded on the lack of faith, Dhoni showed in India's best spinner R Ashwin.

“With the respect, Ashwin has to produce results. He has been a great bowler, but at the end of the day it is the results that matters. If you get that, then captain will also give you bowling. At the same time Dhoni has always helped players and youngsters. There have been times where he has let youngsters go bat before him. Bowlers have to perform if they don't then they will lose confidence of the captain,” he said.

Azharuddin said that he expects a foreign coach to replace Ravi Shastri’s place as the team director in BCCI.

“Nowadays everybody looks to have a foreign coach. I don't think there will be anybody from India. There will be someone from outside, but it also depends on the captain,” said Azharuddin.

By Phani Ch