Mahendra Singh Dhoni's comments about being mentally unprepared for pre-World Cup practice matches were ill-timed and he should have waited to win the coveted trophy before dedicating it to Sachin Tendulkar, feel West Indian batting legend Vivian Richards and ex-Pakistan captain Imran Khan.
Richards and Imran both felt that Dhoni's recent comments were unnecessary.
"It's not the best thing you want to hear at this point. If they win the World Cup there is going to be no tiredness come IPL time," Richards said.
"May be this is a way to lure all teams into a false sense of security. All the captains have their ways of doing things. Especially when Dhoni mentioned that we have the IPL after that. Well, what I would like to ask him is, why not get so tired after winning the World Cup that you are already tired for the IPL," he told CNN-IBN.
"I just think the timing of the statement is wrong. Don't talk about fatigue before a World Cup has even begun," he added.
Imran echoed the views and said the comments should have been avoided.
"If Dhoni meant that there should be no practice matches I completely agree that there should not be practice matches before the World Cup. If you have played so much of cricket you don't need practice matches, but the tougher the competition you have before the World Cup the better prepared you are," he said.
Richards and Imran were also critical of Dhoni's comments about dedicating the World Cup to Sachin Tendulkar, who will playing in it for the sixth time.
"I don't think Dhoni needed to say it. Even if you have those feelings...these are the feelings you should keep to yourself. First go and win the World Cup and then say you have done it for Sachin. But don't say these things before a World Cup.
"The Cup is about India, not an individual. I want Sachin to be a World Cup winner, but the captain doesn't need to say it at this stage," Richards said.
Imran felt such a declaration is a sign of weakness in the Indian team.
"What Dhoni was saying should have been told to the cricket board, he should not come on television and say it. It somehow reflects a sign of weakness," Imran added.
