YES, THE performance of the Indian cricket team has left a lot to be desired for and the captain has to accept the blame for the dismal show. But was it entirely his fault? When experienced players do not deliver as per expectations, the captain can hardly be blamed. Once a team is selected, the captain has very little option and has to get the best out of a bad job – as has happened in this case.

India could get its name in the record books of cricket. It is probably the only cricket playing nation, which believes in persisting with out-of-form players in the fond hope that they would suddenly get back to their form and take the opposition by surprise.

Is Dhoni’s decision a result of the criticism levelled against him by former captains of the Indian cricket team or is it the culmination of inner tussles and personality clashes that has been reported in the Australian media? Dhoni is not known to surrender easily - he has a fighting spirit which has earned him millions of fans. Hence, there is some deep rooted mystery behind this decision.

He has given the excuse that he wants to play in the World Cup 2015 and needs to ensure that he is fit for that, hence he would prefer to opt out of Test cricket. It is certainly not a convincing excuse – and Dhoni himself must also be aware of that. What is his game plan, then?