Sakshi shares a picture from MS Dhoni's 39th birthday celebration featuring Hardik and Krunal Pandya

MS Dhoni hasn’t plied his trade for India since India’s 2019 World Cup semi-final oust. The former India skipper had taken a sabbatical post the mega-event and since then, he hasn’t donned the national jersey even once.

Dhoni’s truancy from the sport has led to many people questioning his future in international cricket. The Ranchi stalwart has kept mum over his retirement speculations but many former players have opined that the semi-final loss against New Zealand was Dhoni’s last international expedition.

Social media was flooded with wishes for MS Dhoni on July 7

Amid the rife in all the retirement rumours, ardent Dhoni fans were eagerly waiting for Dhoni to brace the field in IPL 2020. However, the tournament was indefinitely postponed due to COVID-19 outbreak. Amid the pandemic, Dhoni celebrated his 39th birthday on July 7 and social media was flooded with wishes for the veteran wicketkeeper-batsman.

Dhoni’s birthday bash was a private affair this year due to the pandemic. Only a few people from his close circle met him on his special day. Among those few people was the all-rounder duo of Hardik and Krunal Pandya. The Pandya brothers were even spotted at the Ranchi airport while heading towards Dhoni’s lavish farmhouse.

Dhoni might not be active on social media but his wife Sakshi, many a time, has shared stills and clips of ‘Mahi’. Sakshi, weeks after Dhoni’s 39th birthday celebration, shared a picture featuring the former India skipper and Pandya brothers.  Dhoni’s daughter Ziva and Krunal’s wife Pankhuri are also a part of the picture. “Missing the happy squad,” Sakshi captioned the photo.

Many former cricketers and fans had shared wishes and tributes for Dhoni on July 7th. Hardik, who has been quite close to Dhoni, had even shared an adorable message for ‘Captain Cool’. The all-rounder also highlighted that it was Dhoni who was on his side during tough times.

“Happy birthday to my Bittu from your Chittu Hugging face My friend who has taught me to be a better human being and stood by me in bad times,” Hardik had written on Twitter.

Meanwhile, the postponement of T20 World Cup 2020 has put Dhoni’s international return in jeopardy. However, fans are still left with a ray of hope about the CSK skipper coming back on the field in IPL 2020. According to recent reports, the cash-rich league is all set to be shifted to UAE in September amid COVID-19 pandemic.