Cricket

MS Dhoni likely to retire after Team India’s 2019 Cricket World Cup campaign

Gurpreet Singh
|PublishedJul 03, 2019

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BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – JULY 02: MS Dhoni of India in action batting during the Group Stage match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 between Bangladesh and India at Edgbaston on July 02, 2019 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

MS Dhoni likely to retire after Team India’s 2019 World Cup campaign In England and Wales; sources reveal in condition of anonymity

Former Indian captain across all formats and present wicket-keeper batsman for India in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, MS Dhoni is likely to hang up his boots after the end of the marquee tournament.

MS Dhoni has had a lukewarm sort of a World Cup so far with the bat, as he has been able to hit a solitary half-century (56 off 61) against West Indies at Manchester. He faced quite some flak for his ‘lack of intent’ innings versus England during the closing stages of the match while chasing 337.

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His 28 off 52 against Afghanistan at Southampton also came under the scanner, with even Sachin Tendulkar expressing his frustration on his innings’ approach during the middle overs.

“It is unlikely he will continue after the World Cup”- Sources

As per the reports from the Hindustan Times, one of the senior BCCI officials has opened up on the aforementioned matter. As per the official, it is highly unlikely that the 37-year-old will continue after the ongoing World Cup, but at the same time one cannot predict what the veteran might come up with as all his previous decisions have come as a surprise to all.

“You never know with MS Dhoni. But it is unlikely that he will continue to play for India after this World Cup. But since his decisions to quit captaincy from the three formats have been taken so suddenly, it is very difficult to predict at the moment,” commented the senior official on condition of anonymity.

BCCI not to talk on the issue right now

The BCCI has refrained to talk on the sensitive issue until the completion of the 2019 World Cup. Especially with India having reached the semi-finals after defeating Bangladesh, the apex body doesn’t wish to indulge themselves in matters which do not immediately concern them.

“The team management had to take a call in 2017 after the Champions Trophy. They decided that they will invest another two years in Dhoni till the 2019 World Cup. India have reached the semi-finals despite his lukewarm performances so he has been carefully shielded,” a former India player was quoted as saying.

“No one can ask him to retire but obviously he has got the drift that post World Cup, things won’t be the same.”

Moreover, The current Indian selection committee, which is likely to be in action till the Annual General Meeting in October, is set to begin the changeover process keeping in mind the T20 World Cup 2020 in Australia.

About the author

Gurpreet Singh

Gurpreet Singh is a Cricket writer at The Sportsrush. His platonic relationship with sports had always been there since childhood, but Cricket managed to strike a special, intimate nerve of his heart. Although his initial dream of playing the sport at the highest level couldn't come to fruition, Gurpreet did represent the state of Jharkhand at the under-14 level. However, almost like taking a pledge to never let the undying passion for Cricket fade away even a tad, he made sure to continue the love relationship by assigning the field of journalism as an indirect Cupid. He thus, first finished his bachelor's in journalism and then pursued the PG Diploma course in English journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC). Soon after and since 2019, he has been working at The Sportsrush. Apart from sports, he takes keen interest in politics, and in understanding women and gender-related issues.