"It's Ganguly's personal decision (opinion) and I respect it. At the same time it all depends on Dhoni, on what he thinks about his future. I respect Ganguly's opinion, but I feel Dhoni should be given the chance to decide when to retire," said Azhar on the sidelines of a function to announce the joining of racer Nayan Chatterjee with Meco Motor Sports.
"It's very hard for me to say. It totally depends on Dhoni, how he feels mentally or how demanding the sport is going to become. We have to give that chance to Dhoni to take the decision on his retirement," the former wristy batsman said.
"(MS) Dhoni has been captain for nine years, which is a long period. He has been fantastic in the way he has gone about his job as captain, but does he have the ability in next four years to see India into the World in 2019. Does he have it in him to go for another four years? He has already given up Test cricket and now plays only ODIs and T20s," Ganguly said.
More From This Section
Asked about Dhoni's recent dip in form as a
power-hitting batsman who is considered to be among the best-ever finishers in the limited overs game, Azhar said every player went through such a phase.
"Sometimes people go up and down and his form is not good at times. But he has led the side well and has been a pillar of strength to the players who have played under him. We should give him that chance (to take a call on his future)," Azhar emphasised.
According to Azhar, India do not have to look beyond Virat Kohli to lead the country in all forms of the game once Dhoni quits.
Asked about the heat being faced by the BCCI from the Supreme Court over the Justice Lodha panel recommendations for sweeping reforms, Azhar was of the opinion a middle ground can be found.
"The Board feels that it's not possible to implement Lodha report (in toto). It will be good for the game if both parties come to an agreement. But let me clarify, I don't know the details," he remarked.
Azhar also took a mild dig at India's no.1 spinner R Ashwin for not delivering consistently with the ball when he was asked about Dhoni not giving the off spinner the full quota of overs to bowl in T20 games, including in the ongoing IPL.
Azhar, however, ruled out any Indian - including India A and under 19 coach Rahul Dravid - from getting a chance to be the new coach of the senior team which has been lying vacant since the end of the tour to England by the Indian squad.
"Nowadays everyone looks to have foreign coaches. I don't think anyone will come from India. I don't think any Indian will be the coach," he remarked forthrightly.