Unlike fans, Virender Sehwag is 'happy' to see MS Dhoni being removed as RPS captain

Mahendra Singh Dhoni's ouster as captain of the Indian Premier League (IPL) team Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS) caused quite a furore amongst his long legion of fans. Not just his removal, the manner in which RPS owner Sanjiv Goenka explained the reason behind removing the legend as the skipper of the franchise wasn't taken well by most.

"Dhoni has not stepped down. We have appointed Steve Smith as the skipper for the upcoming season. Frankly speaking, we did not have a good last season and we wanted someone young to lead the side and revamp it ahead of the upcoming season 10," Goenka was quoted as saying by PTI.

However, there is one man who, as always, sees the lighter side of things. Former India opener and Dhoni's team-mate for years Virender Sehwag says he is 'happy' with this turn of events.

"I am happy that he isn't captain because maybe now my team, Kings XI Punjab, can beat this Pune team," said Sehwag, while speaking at a session in 'SporTale', a sports-themed literary festival.

"On a serious note, I believe that this is an internal decision of the franchise but he is one of the best ever captains India has ever had," added Sehwag, who was recently named Kings XI Punjab's head of cricket operations ahead of IPL 10.

After the suspension of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, RPS and Gujarat Lions made their debut in the IPL last season. However, it was a disappointing beginning for them as they finished seventh in the points table at the end of the league stage. With Dhoni leading the side, RPS managed to win just five of their 14 matches.