Reports: MS Dhoni puts retirement plans on a hold; takes a finite break from Cricket

Many questions arose out of the pit when the Indian team was dislodged by the Black Caps in the semi-finals of 2019 World Cup. One of them was regarding MS Dhoni’s future in Indian cricket as his career has been hanging by a thread for some time now. The veteran was expected to play his last game for India in the championship. Following the defeat, the Indian skipper Virat Kohli confirmed that he was unaware of MS Dhoni’s retirement plans.

The news spread like a forest fire and the whole cricketing fraternity started sharing their views on social platforms. There were even speculations that he might retire after next year’s T20 championship. Within a week it became a national debate and suddenly media started cooking up stories. During all this, some of the celebrities came in support of the World Cup-winning captain. Finally, all the guesswork has come to a halt as Dhoni has added a new twist to the story.

A sudden U-turn:

There is no doubt that Dhoni is one of the celebrated cricketers of this country but in recent times even his fans have turned against him. Though the team management has backed the keeper-batsman the numbers are not enough to him keep him in the side. Now as the Indian selectors are busy discussing the 15-member squad for West Indies tour, Dhoni has come up with an interesting decision. He has decided to take a break from cricket and make himself available for the national duties as Lieutenant Colonel of the Territorial Army.

“Dhoni has made himself unavailable for the tour of West Indies as he will be spending two months with his paramilitary regiment,” the official was quoted saying by the Sportstar.

A senior BCCI official clarified that Dhoni is yet to retire from international cricket. He further added that the message has been conveyed to Virat Kohli and chief selector, MSK Prasad.

“We would like to say three things. He is not retiring from cricket right now. He is taking a two-month sabbatical to serve his paramilitary regiment which he had committed much earlier,” he said. We have now intimated his decision to skipper Virat Kohli and chairman of selectors MSK Prasad,” the senior official added.

On the other hand, India will be touring West Indies that commences with a 3-match T20I series followed by three ODIs and two Tests. The squads for the tour will be announced by the selection committee on 21st July.