It's not going to be easy for MS Dhoni to make a comeback: Venkatesh Prasad

MS Dhoni hasn’t played any competitive cricket for almost a year now. He has been on a sabbatical since the World Cup semi-final against New Zealand last year. Many felt that he will retire from the international arena after the mega event but the veteran has stayed mum over the same. This has only increased speculations over his immediate future at the highest level.

Moreover, with the T20 World Cup to be played later this year, the fans are eager to know if Dhoni will be making a comeback into the team. IPL was supposed to be the only way for him to do so which has been postponed until further notice due to COVID-19 outbreak. Amidst growing concerns over his career, former India cricketer Venkatesh Prasad feels it will be tough for MS Dhoni to make a comeback now.

He admitted the fact that the 38-year-old is fit now but also pointed out that the reflexes of a player tend to come down with every passing year. MS Dhoni will turn 39 in July this year and it only remains to be seen if the management is willing to have him back as well. Prasad has also left the decision to the team management.

It’s very tough for him to really break into the team. It’s tough for him now again to make a comeback because he’s not played cricket for almost a year. It’s not going to be easy for him. There is no doubt he is very fit but then your reflexes tend to come down as you grow old. He is nearing 40.

“So, it’s not going to be easy for him. I would also leave it to the team management. If he shows good fitness and also if team management comes up with some strategy,” he was quoted as saying by Times of India.

Prasad wants MS Dhoni to bat up the order

If at all MS Dhoni makes a comeback, Venkatesh Prasad wants team India to make him bat up the order and not use him as the finisher. He also felt that the experienced cricketer should be told to play his natural game as well. “Instead of treating Dhoni as a finisher, I will play him up the order. I would probably ask him to bat at number 3 or 4. Or, if I have only 10 overs left, I will tell Dhoni go and just play his game the way he plays as a finisher.

“Let’s not forget, Dhoni has the experience and the inputs that he would give, that’s extremely valuable, the former India bowling coach added.