Sunil Gavaskar backs under-fire Dhoni

Former Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni has had to face a lot of criticism for being unable to help India chase down a target of 190 in the fourth ODI against West Indies.

However. Sunil Gavaskar has backed the Indian wicket-keeper, and termed the defeat as a team failure.

"Stop blaming MSD. It was a team batting failure," Gavaskar told NDTV. India lost the fourth ODI by 11 runs, but still have a 2-1 lead in the series.

The fifth and the final ODI will be played at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica on July 6.

On India's next coach, Gavaskar felt Ravi Shastri was the favourite as he has worked as the team director of the Indian team.

"There’s Sehwag,Moody who has done a wonderful job with the Sunrisers Hyderabad (in the Indian Premier League). Yes there are candidates who are around but Ravi has the experience. Ravi has been with the team before, he seems comfortable with the team," Gavaskar said.

--By A Cricket Correspondent