Mahendra Singh Dhoni
Photo Credit: Getty Images.

The signs are not encouraging as far as MS Dhoni’s future as his gesture after the end of third ODI against England has sent shockwaves among the cricketing fraternity.

Expectations were sky high from Dhoni after his exploits in this year’s Indian Premier League. The 37-year old led Chennai Super Kings to their third Indian Premier League title. While the Super Kings have traditionally done well in the competition, the latest triumph was pretty remarkable. They were returning to the league after a two-year absence and not many had expected them to go all the way. But under the abled leadership of MS Dhoni, they defied all the odds to win the title.

Dhoni led the team from the front as he starred with the bat. In fact, he has had one of the best IPL seasons of his life. He not only won games for his side almost single-handedly but it also showed a remarkable consistency.

Watch: MS Dhoni Collects Match Ball From Umpire, Hints At RetirementCredits: BCCI

The Super Kings skipper Dhoni finished the season with 455 runs to his name. In addition, he also scored three fifties while smashing 24 fours and 30 sixes. It was his best season since 2013 when he had scored 461 runs in 18 games.

Read More  Nandre Burger attacks RR teammate Riyan Parag for demolishing Anrich Nortje in IPL 2024

However, things have not turned out as expected in the recently-concluded ODI series against England. He is facing widespread criticism for his ultra-defensive approach in the second and third ODIs against England. In the second game, he  had walked in at the fall of Virat Kohli’s wicket with India needing 183 in 23 overs. The asking rate was below 8 at that time. But by the time, Dhoni departed, the required run-rate had nearly doubled.  He had scored 37 off 59 balls as India managed to add just 75 runs in the last 20 overs. Eventually, India could only manage 236 in 50 overs.

Watch: MS Dhoni Collects Match Ball From Umpire, Hints At Retirement
Credits: Getty

Even in the third ODI, the World Cup-winning skipper could not make amends and once again failed to bat as per his reputation. The right-hander managed to score 42 but used up 66 deliveries for the same. What made things even worse was the timing of his dismissal. He was the last recognised batsmen at the crease and just when it looked like he would accelerate, he departed in the 46th over. India eventually managed a modest 256 for 8. In reply, England chased down the total with utmost ease to win the series.

And what followed after the game has created quite a buzz among the fans. As soon as the match was over, Dhoni walked up to the umpires to collect the match ball. He had done the same during the 2014 tour of Australia just before shockingly announcing his retirement from Tests.

Read More  Did Ravindra Jadeja insult MS Dhoni's wife Sakshi in his viral statement? Click here to know the full context of Jadeja's claims!!

Here is a clip showing Dhoni taking the match ball:

 

 

An avid cricket lover, I just love this game more than anything. Writing about cricket keeps me closer to the game.