[REPORTS] MS Dhoni likely to retire after India's last world cup match

[Austin 3:!6]

It is the worst kept secret in Indian cricket right now but India’s last match in the ongoing World Cup, in all likelihood, will also be Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s last game in India colours. If India qualify for the finals and go on to win the World Cup on July 14 at the Lord’s, it would be ideal setting for a fitting farewell to one of the legends of Indian cricket.

 

“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,” a senior BCCI official told PTI on condition of anonymity.

 

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 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 the 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.

 

 

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/india-s-last-world-cup-2019-match-could-be-ms-dhoni-s-last-for-team-india/story-96rGtJKwNycpBUMmKcqFTM.html

Edited July 3, 2019 by Austin 3:!6

[Nikola]

Who will save our middle order collapse after worldcup then?

[Stuge]

Hojayega ... Tension naa loo

[Sachinism]

I mean it was a known. What would he be in the ODI team for after the WC? He won't be playing the next one.

[Ajju]

Which world cup

[Austin 3:!6]

4 minutes ago, Sachinism said:

I mean it was a known. What would he be in the ODI team for after the WC? He won't be playing the next one.

Misbah played at 40...so why cant Thala?

[Amit228]

I will only believe when i will see it... Till then i won't trust anyone.. lord thala is too thick skined.. god knows if his khelo dimag se campaign will go on for another couple of years which has literally turned into khelo dil se of cricket fans...

[Stuge]

Just now, Austin 3:!6 said:

Misbah played at 40...so why cant Thala?

He can do Bert Ironmonger

[prasen82]

A fine play on sentimental indians.. retire ho raha hai.. nice way to bounce off blame or pressure.. great PR..

 

For dhonis sake I hope he rekindles the form of yore or the bowlers /virat-rohit step up in big way to ensure dhoni contribution is not required. Else legacy is ruined..

[nitinbwj]

He will play one last innings .....to screw us !!! 

[Amit228]

1 minute ago, prasen82 said:

A fine play on sentimental indians.. retire ho raha hai.. nice way to bounce off blame or pressure.. great PR..

 

For dhonis sake I hope he rekindles the form of yore or the bowlers /virat-rohit step up in big way to ensure dhoni contribution is not required. Else legacy is ruined..

Exactly..all stage set for him fluffing big time in knockouts games.. then his asinine pans will comeout with asinine logic that he had won u 2011 worldcup.. don't troll a legend.. nd many of us will be getting melancholic on his retirement nd indias lose will make less news... Lets just hope virat, rohit nd bumrah can avoid the unavoidable..

[WC2011INDIA]

16 minutes ago, Austin 3:!6 said:

Misbah played at 40...so why cant Thala?

He is not a Pakistani

[asterix]

I won't hold my breath... Can't believe on rumours and get excited only for KLPD... Happened many times in the past.

 

Fingers crossed though... Hoping for the good news in just few matches. The looooooong wait is almost over...

[SRT100]

If he costs India the World Cup with a poor semi or a poor Final, he should stay in England. They will crucify him on his return.

 

The only way all will be forgiven unconditionally is if performs a heroic match winning innings to win one or both finals.

[lotlil]

This was expected. He will be the ODI player that will be hardest to replace for India, perhaps of all time.

[nevada]

28 minutes ago, Austin 3:!6 said:

Misbah played at 40...so why cant Thala?

Misbah retired at 42 IIRC. Dhoni can play the next world cup by which time he will also be 42.

[rkt.india]

30 minutes ago, Austin 3:!6 said:

Misbah played at 40...so why cant Thala?

Thala already looks like 50.

[Bigg Brother]

This is gimmick to gain sympathy..Buddha did same against England last year by taking ball from the umpire and his PR start circulating the news about it and there was some news about Dhoni doing press conference at 4 PM(Which never occured). This was just to cover how awfully that guy performed in that series.

[New guy]

Wah what timing to get sympathy. His PR earns their pay. 

[VT87]

Chal be  ,he will continue till 2027wc.