Dhoni Deserves Every Chance Of Playing In The Next World Cup: Mike Hussey

With calls of taking a call on the future of Mahendra Singh Dhoni escalating, former Australia batsman Mike Hussey has leapt into the former India skipper’s defence.

The World Cup-winning skipper, who stepped down as the limited-overs skipper earlier this year, has looked like a pale shadow of his former self for quite some time now. Dhoni had a pretty indifferent outing in 2016 as he managed to score only 278 runs in 13 matches at an average of 27.80. The 35-year old began 2017 with a stupendous 134-run knock against England but has not managed to replicate the same performance thereafter.  And with next World Cup just a couple of years away, several former cricketers including Rahul Dravid has urged the team management to take a call on Dhoni’s role in the team.

Dhoni had scored a match-winning half-century in the third ODI against West Indies in July but was severely criticised for his 114-ball 54 runs knock in the fourth game as India lost that game by 11 runs while chasing a modest target of 190.

Dhoni Deserves Every Chance Of Playing In The Next World Cup: Mike Hussey

Not surprisingly, the critics have targetted Dhoni for his inconsistent performances but Hussey, who played under Dhoni’s captaincy in the IPL, said that the wicketkeeper-batsman should retire only on his own terms.

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“He has done so much for cricket in this country. If he believes he can play the next World Cup, who is to doubt him? He is a very modest and honest man. So he will be honest with himself. If he thinks that he cannot contribute to the team and help India win the World Cup, I don’t think he will be there. But if he believes in his heart that he can contribute to the team’s success and be a positive influence on the team, he deserves every chance of playing in the next World Cup,” said Hussey.

Dhoni Deserves Every Chance Of Playing In The Next World Cup: Mike Hussey
Hussey (L) and Dhoni during an IPL match

“He knows his game and he looks after his body well. With the advancement in sports science, cricketers can play a lot longer. You can see the players performing well in their late 30s also,” added Hussey.M

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