MS Dhoni's childhood coach speaks about the wicketkeeper's retirement plan

Ever since Mahendra Singh Dhoni got run out by a brilliant throw from Martin Guptill in the semi-final of the ICC World Cup in England in July, the fans have remained curious about his future. The ace wicketkeeper-batsman hasn’t officially called it a day even though everybody kept on guessing that the 38-year-old’s end is nigh. Dhoni skipped two of India’s subsequent series after the World Cup against the West Indies and South Africa and will not feature in the next series against Bangladesh either.

Dhoni’s childhood coach Keshav Banerjee believes the former India captain will return to play but as of now, he needs rest. Owner of over 10,000 ODI runs and one of the most successful keepers the game has seen, Dhoni has struggled with the bat for the most part of the last one-and-half years and it is the main reason why the fans have been disappointed with him.

However, with Rishabh Pant, who was thought to succeed Dhoni with an emphatic impact, has not fulfilled the promise and that could keep the veteran around for still some time. Dhoni went for military training when India headed to the Caribbeans and hasn’t played international cricket for three months now. But Banerjee thinks his former student needs more rest.

“Dhoni has been playing relentlessly since 2004. So he deserves this sabbatical. Let him spend some time with his family,” Banerjee was quoted as saying by Times of India. He also said that Dhoni might have plans to play the next year’s T20 World Cup in Australia and then deliver a parting shot. “I think he will play the World T20 next year, then take a call,” Banerjee said.

Dhoni’s coach wants new players to be given opportunities

He also advised the team management to give a deserving candidate a chance rather than settle for Dhoni’s return. “More important than Dhoni’s return is providing the young ones who have impressed in domestic cricket a chance to play for India,” said Banerjee. “We should not waste their peak by making them play only domestic matches. Bangladesh series is the ideal opportunity to test them,” he said.

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