Dean Jones Reckons The Extended Break Might Be "Fantastic" For MS Dhoni

While the world awaits to see MS Dhoni in the IPL, his international future remains one of the burning talking points of the lot. That MS Dhoni, under whom India tasted unprecedented success, would ever be witnessed in the national colours again is swirling since nearly a year. And former Australian cricketer Dean Jones has opined what lies ahead for the former Indian skipper in detail.

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The veteran wicketkeeper-batsman last featured in an international game back in July 2019 in the World Cup semi-final against New Zealand. MS Dhoni seemed in line for his trademark finish to take India to the final before run-out left fans and the men at the dressing room heartbroken.

Since then, he went on a sabbatical and trained at the nets in Ranchi but made himself unavailable for any of the international fixtures.

According to Dean Jones, in the absence of Dhoni, the Indian selectors are going ahead with Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul for standing behind the stumps. But Jones asserted that the door is indeed open if he does well in the IPL and that the extended break might prove very fruitful for him.

“At the moment it looks like the Indian selectors are going with Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul. If Dhoni has a wonderful IPL then he’s away, but if he doesn’t do well in the next IPL then perhaps his door is definitely shut. But, he’s left the door open. This break might be fantastic for him. He has had a really good break and if he wants to come back out of this — trust me as you get older it gets more difficult to come back from a break,” the Victorian added as quoted by Times of India.

MS Dhoni is an absolute superstar: Dean Jones

The 59-year old added that MS Dhoni is a giant of the game and deserves to retire when he wants and on his terms. However, he addressed the problem of a finisher for India, a gaping hole left by the 39-year old. Hence, Jones feels it impacts the balance.

“He (MS Dhoni) is an absolute superstar. He is a ‘great’. So, I have always felt, with the greats, to tend to let them do what they want to do, but at the moment they are leaning towards K.L. Rahul and Rishabh Pant. But, India’ biggest problem is still a finisher. Who is your finisher? Hardik-Pandya — yes. Just comes down to your balance — who’s hot and who’s not,” Dean Jones added.

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