Dhoni's honeymoon period is over: Waugh

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New Delhi: Legendary Australian captain Steve Waugh rates Mahendra Singh Dhoni as a fantastic leader but feels the Indian skipper's “honeymoon period” is over and he is in dire need of a break.

“It seems Dhoni's honeymoon period is over. He should take some days' break now,” Waugh said on Saturday.

Dhoni, who led India to unprecedented glory in a short span of around two years, failed to impress in the Twenty20 World Cup in England as the team was ousted after failing to win a single Super Eight match.

Asked who was a better captain -- Sourav Ganguly or Dhoni, Waugh though tried to evade the question but ended up saying “Dhoni is a fantastic captain”.

Waugh, however, felt much should not be read in the early exit of two top teams like India and Australia in the T20 World Cup.

“Twenty20 has got many more surprises due. You've got to be sharp and alert on that day. Anyone can lose in this format,” he said at a press conference to launch the India chapter of the Steve Waugh Foundation Global.

Waugh, regarded as one of the most successful captains in cricket history, admitted that Australia's aura of invincibility was over but felt it was a good sign for the game.

“Their aura of invincibility has gone since their loss to India at home but it is good for the game because challenges enhance the game,” Waugh said.

About Australia's chances to regain the Ashes, he said “they have good chances”.

The 44-year-old former Australia captain also touched upon the curious case of controversial all rounder Andrew Symonds and described him as a “simple guy”.

“Andrew was very close to Buchanan, who is also a Queenslander and (Matthew) Hayden. He always needed a close support which he enjoyed earlier. He is a pretty simple guy who likes to go fishing, surfing and hunting around.

“But it's different scenario now and he made some promises to the team which he did not live up to,” Waugh said of Symonds, who has a history of misdemeanors, the latest being sent home for violating team rules even before the start of the T20 World Cup.

On the security situation in India, Waugh said the message was that “it was a very safe place” and Tennis Australia should have visited here for their Davis Cup match.