Why MS Dhoni Should Not Take Retirement Until 2020 World T20?

Mahendra Singh Dhoni – The name in itself is big enough. MS Dhoni has achieved everything in the book – whether it is the success as a captain, as a finisher and or even as the best wicketkeeper in the world. The former India skipper has done it all to be called, ‘The Legend of the Game’. Consequently, he can defintely play until the next 2020 World T20.

Meanwhile, it is noted in the recent past that MS Dhoni’s power-hitting capabilities are on the wane. Furthermore, the former India skipper had failed to rotate the strike especially against the spinners, which eventually saw the pressure getting mounted.

MS Dhoni power-hitting capabilities are on the wane.

Thus, the critics have tried to take their shot at MS Dhoni. He has turned 37-years old which has given them another reason to put the talismanic player under the hammer. However, the age criteria don’t fit at all on Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The Indian gloveman is still fit as a fiddle.

In fact, Dhoni had always given preference to his fitness with the help of which he has borne rich fruits. Furthermore, he is one of the fastest runners in the Indian team. In fact, the wicketkeeper-batsman can a give a run for the money to some of the young players in the Indian camp.

So, what does MS Dhoni brings to the table now? No, we are not talking about the past. Yes, he had done some great work for the Indian cricket team and had been instrumental in the success of the Men in Blue over the years. But let’s take a look at future and if he can be in the team for next 2020 World T20.

MS Dhoni is a tactical master.

One of the major reasons for MS Dhoni to stay in the Indian team is the tactical changes. He has a great relationship with current captain Virat Kohli, and both of them understand and compliment each other brilliantly. In fact, Kohli has often been seen fielding in the outfield, as he is India’s best fielder, whereas, MS Dhoni would be seen placing the field. It is not like Virat Kohli cannot do that, but it is more about the mutual respect both of them have for each other.

Guiding the young wrist spinners.

Furthermore, MS Dhoni words are like gold for the young players. The Indian wrist spinners, Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal, have been instrumental for the Indian team in the limited-overs. However, Dhoni’s hand in guiding these youngsters is significant.

Moreover, MS Dhoni’s stump mic commentary is well known, and it has played its part in the upward swing of the improvement graph of these two wrist spinners. MS Dhoni has all the experience in the book, and he makes full use of it.

He has shown light to a lot of Indian players, and they have tried to follow in his footsteps and take a leaf out of his book. Subsequently, he can guiding the next generation till the next 2020 World T20.

Best Wicketkeeper.

Furthermore, there have never been doubts over his wicketkeeping skills. He is by far the best gloveman India has ever produced, and he is right up there with the bests like Adam Gilchrist, Mark Boucher and Kumar Sangakkara. Dhoni is a live wire behind the stumps, and his hands are lightning quick.

However, it should be noted that a player, however, any great is not more significant than a team. Cricket is a team sport, and every eleven players need to give their contribution. Dhoni hasn’t been in the best of forms with the bat, and it is high time that he finds his charisma back.

However, we tend to compare him with his older versions, which is a bit unfair. Mahendra Singh Dhoni is not that hard-hitting batsman that he was once and he may never be again. However, with a return of form, he can be in contention for the next 2020 World T20.

Never a cakewalk to bat in the lower middle-order.

On the other hand, MS Dhoni has always batted in the lower-order. He has an average of 51.26 while hitting at number six for the most of his career. Therefore, it goes to show us the number of times he has finished off an innings for India.

Whether it is setting up a target or chasing down one – a finisher always needs to bat in the topmost gear. Thus, to produce results at this challenging position is a staggering achievement.

One must also understand that a player is expected to falter sometimes when he is batting at such a make or break position. In fact, Dhoni has made most of the games for India.

Furthermore, Mahendra Singh Dhoni is not someone who will hang around if he is not contributing to the team’s cause. He has taken some of the best decisions for the Indian cricket, and he is not going to take any hard calls.

Dhoni is not going to hang around if he is not contributing.

Therefore, he is must be given his space. Dhoni knows his game better than most of the people, and his retirement should be left to him. However, that doesn’t mean he cannot get dropped if he fails to deliver with the bat. He would like to keep contributing to the success of the team. Dhoni knows the team will want more from him with the bat.

Meanwhile, MS Dhoni had found his lost form in the IPL, but it disappeared on the England tour. Furthermore, Virat Kohli can also send Dhoni at number four position – which has been India’s Achilles Heel in the recent past. However, in such a scenario, players like Dinesh Karthik and Hardik Pandya will have to do more justice to the finisher’s role.

Consequently, MS Dhoni should be there till the 2019 World Cup with one asterisk – he should find his form with the bat. If he continues to play well, he might well be in the reckoning for the 2020 World T20.