Ganguly should stay as captain: Bedi

Bishen Singh Bedi, one of the worst critics of Sourav Ganguly, is backing the beleaguered Indian skipper saying he must be allowed to continue in the post despite a poor run with the bat.

"I don't think Ganguly should be dropped though it is up to the selectors to take a decision. I feel he should get some more chances," Bedi, a former India captain, said.

Ganguly, who averaged around nine in the three-match Test series against Pakistan, continued his poor form in the one-day series, scoring just nine runs in the first two One-Day Internationals.

With calls for his scalp getting louder, the former left-arm spinner said it is up to the Indian skipper to decide on his future.

Assessing the potential of Rahul Dravid's credentials for the top post, Bedi said the 'ICC Cricketer of the Year' is very good at the job.

"He has done it before and he is very good as captain," he said.

Bedi also felt legendary opener Sunil Gavaskar is the right man to take over from New Zealander John Wright as coach of the national team.

"Gavaskar is the right man for the job and they should give him a five-year term."

The 58-year-old Bedi, who had threatened to dump the Indian cricket team in the sea in 1990 when he was the coach, also ruled himself out of contention to return to the post.

"No. I'm not in the picture. I am too busy training youngsters and I won't be able to leave that," he told reporters in Delhi on the sidelines of a campaign to spread HIV/AIDS awareness among sportspersons.

On the ongoing one-day series, Bedi said India should whitewash Pakistan despite the visitors showing some fighting qualities.

"India is a very good team compared to Pakistan. I think we should win the series 6-0 but only if we play aggressive brand of cricket. There is no point going defensive," he said.

Bedi expressed disappointment about left-arm spinner Murali Karthik being not given a chance to play in the one-dayers.

"I'm very disappointed that he is not playing. You have a specialist spinner and still part-timers are doing the job. He should be given a chance as he is a very good bowler."