If MS Dhoni doesn't do well in IPL 2020, then his door is definitely shut: Dean Jones

MS Dhoni is one of the most loved Indian cricketers of all time. Since July 10th, 2019, the last day Dhoni wore Indian colours, the speculations are on an all-time high about his international return or maybe his retirement. As the T20 World Cup which was supposed to happen this year has been postponed, the way for a Dhoni return all depends on IPL 2020 which is expected to get underway from September 19th. Notably, the most successful Indian captain hasn’t spoken to the media about his plans yet.

Dean Jones, one of the most popular cricket commentators, also has an opinion about Dhoni like all of us. The former Australian cricketer has shown his concern on Dhoni’s return as he believes that with age being a factor it will be difficult for former Indian captain to make his return.

After Dhoni’s break in International cricket, Indian team selectors and management have shown faith in Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul as wicketkeepers in limited-overs cricket. Jones said that if Dhoni doesn’t get a very good IPL, his doors for international return might shut completely.

“At the moment it looks like the Indian selectors are going with Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul. If Dhoni has a wonderful IPL then he’s away, but if he doesn’t do well in the next IPL then perhaps his door is definitely shut. But, he’s left the door open. This break might be fantastic for him. He has had a really good break and if he wants to come back out of this — trust me as you get older it gets more difficult to come back from a break,” Jones told the Times of India.

India’s biggest problem is still a finisher: Dean Jones

While the former Aussie admitted that India might have found their way out of wicketkeeper problem, but the real problem lies in finding the perfect finisher for the team. The Jharkhand lad is often regarded as the greatest finisher the game has seen and the void he has left is very difficult to fill. While finishing a game is not a cakewalk but its a job which comes with a lot of praise too. All-rounder Hardik Pandya is usually regarded as the next potential finisher for white-ball cricket but with it, all depends on how the team is balanced.

“He (MS Dhoni) is an absolute superstar. He is a ‘great’. So, I have always felt, with the greats, to tend to let them do what they want to do, but at the moment they are leaning towards KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant. But, India’s biggest problem is still a finisher. Who is your finisher? Hardik-Pandya — yes. Just comes down to your balance — who’s hot and who’s not,” added Jones.

The wicketkeeper-batsman could return to action as early as 19th September as Mumbai and Chennai were supposed to play the first game this season but as the tournament is being played in UAE now, BCCI is expected to release a new schedule. The CSK captain is often seen enjoying family time with his daughter in his farmhouse. Once he wears that yellow jersey for Chennai, the famous wicketkeeper becomes ‘Thala’, possibly one of the most loved persons in Chennai.