Former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was going to bid adieu to international cricket after losing the World Cup semi-final to New Zealand by 18 runs. Dhoni had planned his retirement after World Cup and he had allready told this to his fellow teammates. Mahi deferred from his decision to retire but made himself unavailable for the upcoming series against West Indies and will now join the paramilitary regiment for two months. The veteran cricketer received an honorary rank of lieutenant colonel by territorial army in 2011. He got this rank in the parachute regiment of the Indian army.
According to a report in DNA, MS Dhoni changed up his mind to retire on the advice of skipper Virat Kohli. Virat’s close relative has informed that the Indian skipper told Dhoni that the team needs him and he should continue to serve the country. After the words from the Indian skipper, Dhoni decided not to retire.
Prior to Team Indian team’s announcement for the West Indies tour, chief selector MSK Prasad was asked about the future of MS Dhoni and the former cricketer from Andhra, spelled out the reasoning of the selectors which means that Dhoni is not an automatic selection anymore.
“He is unavailable for this series. He has expressed his unavailability, but having said that we had a certain roadmap and plans till the World Cup. Post World Cup, we have laid down a few more plans, and we thought of giving as many opportunities as possible to Rishabh Pant and see him groom, so this is our plan right now.” Prasad said in the press conference after announcing the team for West Indies series.
According to DNA, Kohli’s close relative said that according to the Indian skipper, MS Dhoni is completely fit. He can play till the T20 World Cup in Australia next year. Team management also wants Dhoni to help India’s premier wicket-keeper batsman- Rishabh Pant in the phase of transition.
