Wicketkeepers are ideal to double up as captains in the shortest version of cricket
as they can take split-second decisions with ease, said Indian team's manager
Lalchand Rajput as he justified Mahendra Singh Dhoni's promotion as skipper
for the forthcoming Twenty20 World Cup.
Brushing aside concerns that the additional burden of captaincy might affect the
Ranchi-born swashbuckler's batting abilities in South Africa, Rajput said,
"I don't think there will be extra pressure. He's a person with a very strong
head." "In this form of the game a wicketkeeper knows what's happening
on the field and can take better decisions. You have to take decisions quickly
as there's no time to think and the moment you (as captain) think it's over",
said the former Test opener.
"It's (keeper-captain) an advantage in this format as
you have to stay focused only for 20 overs and take decisions in a short period
of time", said the former Mumbai cricketer.
"Plus Dhoni has been in the Indian team for the last couple
of years, has played under Rahul (Dravid) and Sourav (Ganguly) and with Sachin
(Tendulkar) and must have gained from the experience," said the ex-India
A and under-19 coach.
"He has a very good work ethic too. As a captain you need
to set an example and I am sure he will do well", Rajput said ahead of
the team's departure on Sunday for the September 11-24 tournament.
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