The worst possible speculation nightmare can be a reality for Indian cricket fans post this World Cup campaign. According to a BCCI official, MS Dhoni can call it off post the campaign.
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According to an anonymous source of BCCI India’s last match in the ongoing World Cup, in all likelihood can be Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s last game in Indian jersey. The BCCI source who wanted to remain anonymous told PTI, “You never know with MS Dhoni. But it is unlikely that he will continue to play for India after this World Cup. But since his decisions to quit captaincy from the three formats have been taken so suddenly, it is very difficult to predict at the moment.”
Dhoni’s ‘intent’ and role
Dhoni’s form and approach to the game have been criticized a lot recently. This World Cup has not been an exception. Especially his approach during the all-important chase against England was not taken gracefully by the fans. Even yesterday his sting against Bangladesh has raised questions. His intent and ability have been judged. The way, arguably one of the best finishers of the limited over cricket has failed to accelerate the scoreboard at the slog, has divided the cricket world.
Although this is just a speculation, the way Dhoni has taken his earlier decision of quitting captaincy and test cricket, this can also come anytime. But the BCCI and team management are currently not interested in discussing the same for obvious reasons. India has made it to the semi-final and now need to cross the major hurdles. No wonder, Dhoni will have an important role in the same. Dhoni’s experience in limited overs cricket, especially in World Cup has been immense. Both as a player and captain he has been through a lot. India’s captain for 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 World Cup is a treasure for Virat Kohli in this campaign.
The current selection committee, which is likely to stay till the October AGM, will obviously start the changeover process looking at the ICC World T20 in Australia next year.
When the new selection committee takes over from the incumbents, the possible replacements for the shorter formats will be identified with reasonable time left for the World T20s.
However, with India qualifying for the semi-finals at the World Cup here, neither the team management nor the BCCI wants to talk about the sensitive issue.
Dhoni has scored 223 runs in seven games at a decent strike rate of 93 plus if one goes by the scorecards but what they don’t reflect is his inability to rotate the strike and strike big.
Some have attributed it to the lack of intent and some have pointed out his waning capabilities as a finisher, something that had once made him a top short format player in the world.
With the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly also being critical of his approach, the team management knows only too well that they can’t carry their “beloved captain” beyond the marquee tournament.
His on-field contribution is still immense as every player who has appeared for media interactions has pointed out.
“The team management had to take a call in 2017 after the Champions Trophy. They decided that they will invest another two years in Dhoni till the 2019 World Cup. India have reached the semi-finals despite his lukewarm performances so he has been carefully shielded,” a former India player said.
“No one can ask him to retire but obviously he has got the drift that post World Cup, things won’t be the same,” he said.
Also read: List of ICC cricket world cup winners of all time
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