Ever since India’s shocking loss to New Zealand in world cup semi-finals by 18 runs, the question on retirement of MS Dhoni and his future with the national team is doing round. India topped the table with 16 points in 9 games that includes a washed off game against New Zealand and a loss against England.
Fans have started calling the veteran of 350 ODIs to not retire from cricket and keep serving for the nation until he is fit. There are speculations that Dhoni may hang up his boots and may not travel to West Indies for the next series.
The veteran of 350 ODIs was blamed for India’s loss as he failed to score at a quick pace which put all the pressure on Ravindra Jadeja and he perished playing a big shot. Dhoni scored 273 runs with an average over 45 in the 2019 World Cup but his inability to keep the score ticking has drawn criticism. With the presence of budding wicket-keepers like Rishabh Pant and Ishan Kishan, the 38-year-old may not be an automatic choice for the national duty.
A report in Times of India states that chief selector MSK Prasad will have ‘make or break’ talks and politely ask Dhoni to retire from International cricket.
“We’re surprised that he’s not done it so far. There are youngsters like Rishabh Pant waiting to grab their chances. As we saw in the World Cup, Dhoni isn’t the same batsman anymore. Despite coming in at No. 6 or 7, he was struggling to force the pace, and it was hurting the team,” the source was quoted as saying by Times of India.
Dhoni unlikely for 2020 World T20 in Australia
The selectors made it clear that the Ranchi lad won’t make it to the 2020 World T20 squad after dropping him from West Indies and Australia T20 series in 2018. He was an automatic choice for ODIs, considering his place in 2019 World Cup squad, but after the debacle in the show-piece event, selectors are wanting him to retire gracefully from the game.
“I don’t think he’s in the selectors’ plan for the 2020 T20 World Cup too. He must quit international cricket gracefully. He isn’t an automatic pick any more,” the source added.
The national team will next ply its trade in the West Indies tour where they will play three ODIs and as many T20s followed by two test matches.
