Stephen Fleming was hopeful for MS Dhoni to make India’s World Cup squad

Coach of the Chennai Super Kings, Stephen Fleming has revealed that he was aware former India captain MS Dhoni wanted to play the 2019 World Cup but he is not sure if the wicketkeeper-batsman will continue playing international cricket after that. It has been widely assumed by fans and the like that the 37-year-old legend will announce his retirement after the mega event, but Fleming wants him to continue for at least a year more.

Dhoni, whose form has largely been waning since the past two years, apart from occasional knocks, is crucial to India’s World Cup campaign because of his experience. Spin duo Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav openly admitted that their performances go down in absence of Dhoni, and we got evidence of this in the last two ODIs against Australia at home. Fleming said that Dhoni is still playing well and has enough fuel in his tank.

Dhoni settled the doubts on his World Cup selection

“I certainly was hoping that he was going to get through to the World Cup. What he wants to do after that I am not sure. We haven’t had those discussions. Most of the discussion was around whether he would make it to the World Cup. He answered that pretty emphatically in the last 12 months,” Fleming was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

“I would love him to carry on for Chennai till the end of this cycle and we will then assess. But it’s a question for him and his motivation. He is playing well, leading well, seems to be enjoying well. So that’s three key factors that will keep him in the game for long time,” the former New Zealand captain said.

Delhi’s Rishabh Pant is likely to replace the Jharkhand-born Dhoni once he decides to hang his boots from the highest level. His most recent knock in the IPL against Mumbai Indians has further convinced fans that he could be the right guy to take up Dhoni’s place.

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