MS Dhoni Can Play Till The 2023 World Cup: Monty Panesar

MS Dhoni hasn’t played competitive cricket since India’s heartbreaking exit from the 2019 World Cup after they lost the semi-final against the Kane Williamson-led New Zealand at Old Trafford in Manchester last July.

Dhoni had scored a valiant half-century and along with Ravindra Jadeja, had pulled the Men in Blue from the dead to the brink of an unlikely win. But just as it looked that Dhoni will pull off yet another heist for his country, he was run-out courtesy a brilliant direct-hit from Martin Guptill.

MS Dhoni went on an extended sabbatical post the World Cup and made himself unavailable for national selection even as speculations galore around his international future. Dhoni was expected to make his return to competitive cricket with the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League but even that didn’t happen as the tournament was postponed indefinitely due to COVID-19.

With the IPL not taking place and the T20 World Cup also in jeopardy, there has been a whirlwind speculations around whether we have seen the last of the former Indian captain in national colors.

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Monty Panesar reckons MS Dhoni can continue till the 2023 World Cup

Former cricketers have been giving their thoughts on the Dhoni conundrum in the last few months. Joining the bandwagon is former England spinner Monty Panesar, who thinks that MS Dhoni can continue till the 2023 50-over World Cup which is scheduled to take place in India.

“If I was Dhoni, I would not retire, just play in the IPL for the next four years and think I can play in next the World Cup if I keep playing domestic cricket. He could even play in the 2023 World Cup. He could be playing in the 2023 World Cup because in sports, things change very quickly,” Panesar said in an exclusive conversation with Times Now.

Panesar further added that MS Dhoni should continue playing the IPL, even if he decided to quit international cricket because he is one of the major attractions of the cash-rich league.

“He has to take a call – if he is to retire, what will be the impact on the cricket world? People would then tune into IPL to watch Dhoni play because they cannot see him anywhere else. That would be a big attraction in the IPL. IPL cannot afford to lose Dhoni,” Panesar added.

A couple of days ago, a few Twitter users started trending #DhoniRetires based on a two-month-old report. Dhoni’s wife Sakshi then proceeded to take to his Twitter account to clarify the same as she lambasted the people who started trending the fake news, terming them ‘mentally sick’.

Also Read: Monty Panesar Compares MS Dhoni’s Retirement To That Of Cristiano Ronaldo Retiring From Football