Virender Sehwag Criticises Selectors For Unclear Picture On MS Dhoni's Future

The saga over MS Dhoni’s retirement from international cricket continues to be dragged. While the talk of MS Dhoni’s retirement has been on the scene for quite some time now, it gathered steam only during the World Cup. Reports suggested that MS Dhoni would retire at the end of the World Cup.

However, the former India skipper did not retire. In fact, he completely took the focus off himself by taking a two-month break from cricket. But the talks of retirement have not really died down and former India opener Virender Sehwag has now spoken on it. The legendary batsman has said that the selectors should communicate with MS Dhoni about his future in the team.

When the selectors announced the squad for the tour of West Indies, chief selector MSK Prasad had said that Rishabh Pant was being groomed to take up the wicketkeeping role in the future. When asked if he would have picked Dhoni had he been available, Prasad had said: “First of all he is not fit, so when he is fit and available, then we’ll see.”

Also Read: I Would Prefer To Face Dennis Lillee Rather Than Jasprit Bumrah – Vivian Richards

Sehwag, however, feels that selectors should have a clear picture. While Sehwag said that it’s up to Dhoni to decide when he wants to retire, the selectors have to keep him informed of their plans instead of adding to the speculation.

“That [retirement] is Dhoni’s personal call. If he thinks he is fit and can contribute like he used to, then why not continue,” Sehwag told Hindustan Times. “But if the selectors think that MSD can’t contribute, then they should tell him that we are giving you this last series. That should be communicated.

“That communication should always be there between the selectors and the player. Don’t know whether the selectors have [that communication] or not. We have only read MSK [Prasad] giving a statement about selectors conveying to MSD that he is not their first choice. So, that means they’ll pick Pant first and then if they have to pick a second keeper, they’ll pick Dhoni. That is not possible. After a time, Dhoni should decide and speak to selectors and ask for a retirement game. That is when he feels it is the right time to quit,” he added.

Dhoni, meanwhile, is unlikely to get a chance into the team for the upcoming home series against South Africa. India will only play T20Is and Tests against the Proteas and one cannot really see Dhoni, who has retired from Tests, getting a call for the T20Is.