Is this end of MS Dhoni’s international career? Will MS Dhoni be never ever seen in India colours? Will Corona virus put curtains to IPL 2020?
The deadly Corona Virus outbreak has jolted the sports industry, with major sporting events being called off to curb the spread of the virus. One such event that’s facing the heat of the dangerous Pandemic is India’s prestigious Indian Premier League.
The tournament that was scheduled to get underway on 29th March has now gone into a world of uncertainty with the BCCI postponing the tournament till April 15th. It’s a huge setback for the people who were waiting to see their hero MS Dhoni back on the field.
Dhoni, who last played for India in the World Cup semi-final against New Zealand, has been away from the game since then. If the speculations are to be believed, Dhoni was eyeing the Indian Premier League to make a breakthrough into the Indian T-20 squad for the ICC T-20 World Cup scheduled in Australia later this year.
Cancellation of IPL May End Dhoni’s International Career
MS Dhoni has been away from cricket since July 2019. At 38, Dhoni is not an automatic selection in the power-packed Indian squad. In all circumstances, he’ll have to prove his form and match fitness if he wants a place in the World T-20 squad.
Indian Premier League was one golden opportunity to prove his match readiness but with IPL getting postponed, and a fair chance of the tournament getting called off, chances of Dhoni making a comeback looks grim.
Coach Ravi Shastri also laid emphasis on the fact that Dhoni needs to have a good IPL to prove his place in the team. So what should we assume? Have we seen the last of MS Dhoni in the blue jersey? – highly possible.
Indian Selectors Have a Role to Play too
Recently, during the selection of National Selectors, Dhoni’s future in Indian team was one of the questions that was put forth by Madan Lal Led Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC).
It appears that BCCI through its CAC sought to gauge the Selection Committees stand on Dhoni’s international future. The Selection Committee’s task is cut out with KL Rahul performing well both behind and in front of the wicket.
India is stated to play the Asia Cup and a three T-20 series against England prior to the World Cup. Dhoni will find it hard to breakthrough into the T-20 squad if the IPL is stumped by the Corona Virus Pandemic.
With Dhoni, AB de Villiers’s future also uncertain
AB de Villiers made a shocking revelation last year when he announced that he was willing to come out of retirement and represent South Africa at the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2019. Cricket South Africa however, refused his proposal as it was too late for them to make any changes in the World Cup squad.
With the 50 over World Cup done and dusted, de Villiers was keen to play the T-20 World Cup and like Dhoni, was looking at IPL as an opportunity to get back to the national team. With IPL getting postpone, his future also hangs in uncertainty.
Others Who Were Eyeing IPL for a Spot in World T-20
There are so many players that were hoping to break through the Indian squad through their performances in the IPL. Players like Dinesh Karthik and Kuldeep Yadav, who were ignored by the selectors, were looking up to IPL to get some performances under their belt.
Especially Dinesh Karthik, who’d very little chances post that majestic knock against Bangladesh in the Nidhas trophy final, will be left disappointed if the tournament is called off. Kuldeep too saw a dip in his form which led to the selectors giving opportunities to players like Rahul Chahar and Washington Sunder, will have his task cut out in case of the cancellation of the Indian Premier League.
Will Dhoni Silently Retire?
A couple of days back the legendary Sunil Gavaskar in an interview to Dainik Jagran said that “I would definitely like to see Dhoni in India’s World Cup squad but it’s highly unlikely that it is going to happen.” “The team has moved on. Dhoni is not someone to make big announcements so I reckon he would silently retire from the game,” opined Gavaskar.
Gavaskar has point if look at the way Dhoni bid adieu to Test cricket, he could well hang up his boots without much of fuss.
However, looking at the way Dhoni smashed balls out of the park at the recent Chennai Super Kings camp at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Chennai, we feel still he is one of the finest strikers of the cricket ball and has still to contribute the game and the Indian team.