Indian Premier League 10: Mohammad Azharuddin calls MS Dhoni's sacking as RPS captain a 'third-rate decision'

New Delhi: In a shocking turn of events, Indian cricket fans came to know of IPL outfit Rising Pune Supergiants decision to remove MS Dhoni as captain of the team. While team owner Sanjeev Goenka explained his reasons for making the call, former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin termed it as a 'third-rate decision'.

This decision by the owner and the management drew massive criticism from the fans of the world cup winning captain. Not only the fans, but this decision also received massive criticism by ex cricketers and sports analysts too.

Azharuddin in an interview to Aaj Tak said, "The decision and manner of execution was third-rate and disgraceful. Dhoni has been a jewel in Indian cricket, he has won almost everything in the 8-9 years of his captaincy and even though the franchise can say they run the team with their own money, shouldn't they have seen Dhoni's stature and credibility before first stripping him of captaincy and then not even letting Dhoni the grace? I feel angry and sad as a former cricketer."

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The former Indian captain further said "What will a captain do when the team doesn't play well? If Dhoni wasn't a good and an inspirational captain would he have won two IPL titles (leading Chennai Super Kings)? Belittling Indian sporting legends like Dhoni through corporate board rooms is stooping down to the lowest."

Azharuddin also added "If they had wanted to change the captaincy they should have gone to Dhoni and given him the grace to quit on his own and tell the world it was his own decision. That would have given him an honourable exit but when you keep thinking like a businessman, you actually don't think about the sportsman. I feel the BCCI should not let this go and should deal with it."

READ: RPS owner Sanjeev Goenka reveals reason behind replacing MS Dhoni with Steve Smith as captain

Steve Smith, the Australian captain was soon announced his replacement. The owner of the team Sanjiv Goenka was very defensive about his decision and in an interview told NDTV, "We believed it was time for a younger person to run this side. I was very impressed with the way Steve Smith ran the Australian team. I have the highest regard for MS Dhoni as a leader and a person. Dhoni will continue to be an important part of our team. He is supportive of the decision keeping the franchise's best interests in mind."

Dhoni was the captain of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) since the inception of the league and led them to two IPL titles. However since CSK was suspended for two years along with Rajasthan Royals (RR), players from both the teams were put out for auction. The former skipper was bought by RPS for a price of Rs.12.5 cr. However his debut season for RPS proved out to be catastrophic as they finished 7th in the league.

Goenka was also quoted saying by PTI "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."