5 Reasons why MS Dhoni shouldn't retire after World Cup 2019

After a miserable 2018, former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni really came into his own right at the start of the new year. Playing in the tough Australian conditions after having spent three months off the field, MS Dhoni steered the team through to a series win. Even though he didn’t look the Dhoni of the old, he definitely made a point that he still has got a lot left in him.

The wicketkeeper batsman-scored 193 runs at the same average in three games. He was successful in getting the team over the line in two games while poor umpiring led to his downfall in the series opener. Thus, he was rightly adjudged the ‘Man of the Series’ and also became the oldest Indian to win this award. Dhoni now has got seven of these honours in his career till date.

Over the last few months, there have been several talks about the 37-year-old calling it quits after the World Cup 2019. Many claimed that he was finished after the poor show last year where he failed to hit at least one fifty. But, with the most recent of his performances, he has made a contention for himself to carry on even after the mega-event.

Here is why MS Dhoni should not quit any time soon:

1. Guiding light for the team and for the future of Indian cricket

Ever since he quit captaincy, MS Dhoni has taken up the role of a mentor for the Indian team. Irrespective of the field of discipline of a player, he is always there for help and advice. He’s been talking to the new batsmen giving them perspective on how to deal with the game situation, keepers as well as the bowlers – planning and plotting wickets. Because of his immense experience, young cricketers always look up to him and try to pick his brains.

Indian head coach Ravi Shastri after the series said that Rishabh Pant was talking to Dhoni every day during the Test series. With a lot of budding the doors of the Indian cricket team, having someone of his stature in the dressing room will help secure the future of Indian cricket. Also, he is the unofficial captain of the team in the death overs when Kohli usually fields at the deep. His knowledge will help the current Indian skipper as well to scale greater heights with this team.

2. The most experienced batsman in the middle-order

Leave the middle-order alone, MS Dhoni is the most experienced player in the team. He has been in all sorts of circumstances in the last 14 years and there is no one who understands the last few overs of a game better than him. With lots of questions still surrounding the Indian middle-order, he can be there until he sees them through this transition and finds someone reliable enough to fill his shoes.

Even though he is not the best of hitters at this stage of his career, just having him at the other end gives great assurance to the other players. Hence, they could play a lot more freely and cushion him. It was evident with Dinesh Karthik and Kedar Jadhav firing freely against Australia as an embodiment of trust was standing at the opposite end. Dhoni is also capable of easing the heat off them and it could be a huge learning curve for the other batsmen.

3. Comes back stronger ever time you knock him down

There were several demands of retirement after Dhoni failed in 2018. In 20 ODIs, he only managed to score 275 runs leading to huge disappointment. With Rishabh Pant rising up the ranks with his quality performances in Tests, people wanted the youngster to replace MSD completely in the Indian set-up.

The selectors also decided to drop the veteran from the T20I squad in between. Just as everyone thought it was over, Dhoni came out and proved all those doubting his credentials and the critics wrong with just three knocks. He did the same when people doubted him ahead of IPL 2018 with a terrific season for the Chennai Super Kings. He is sure to come back stronger every single time one writes him off.

4. Has got plenty of cricket still left in him even at 37

If a player, after having the worst year in his career, can bounce back and steer the team to great wins, he is definitely not finished as yet. MS Dhoni won a Man of the Series award after a gap of over seven years which is a testimony of his determination. He looked hungry for every single run that he scored in the series and never let complacency seep in.

The 37-year-old added great stability to the middle-order and has still got plenty of cricket left in him. Unlike many other cricketers who fancy the big shots and score some quick runs irrespective of the situation of the game, Dhoni took complete responsibility. He ensured that he sees the team over the line even though his personal records and reputations are at stake. Virat Kohli also mentioned that no one is more committed to Indian cricket than this legend.

5. Best man behind the stumps

MS Dhoni, even at the twilight of his career, is still the best man for India behind the stumps, in fact, one of the best in the world. He is lightning quick and is an extremely safe catcher. When the bowlers struggle to pick wickets at times, he ends up surprising one and all by pulling off a stumping out of nowhere.

Currently, there is no other wicketkeeper in the country in white-ball cricket who comes anywhere close to the standards that this legend has set. Moreover, his advice from behind the stumps helps the bowlers analyse the match-situation better and get amongst the wickets. MS Dhoni is still a huge asset to have in the team and should continue even after the World Cup.

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